Monza have issued a press release, revealing the club has received confirmation that Papu Gomez has been handed a two-year ban from the Spanish anti-doping commission over an incident that dates back to October 2022.
Monza have confirmed that Gomez was found with traces of Terbutaline in his system, a medication typically used to treat shortness of breath caused by asthma, bronchitis and emphysema.
Terbutaline is included in section 3 of the FIGC’s list of prohibited substances for 2023-24.
Monza write that the medication was taken by Gomez in October 2022, when he was still contracted to Sevilla, in response to a bronchitis-related issue.
Recent reports from Relevo suggest that the substance had been taken prior to Argentina’s triumphant campaign at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Monza confirm that they received a notification from FIFA via the FIGC regarding on Friday indicating the two-year sentence implemented by the Spanish anti-doping commission.
The statement does, however, suggest that the substance had been taken involuntarily.
Gomez has made just two appearances for Monza in Serie A since joining on a free transfer in September. He had agreed a mutual termination of his contract with Sevilla, just under a year before his three-year deal was due to expire.
Monza’s official statement read: “AC Monza announces that it has today received a notification from FIFA, through the FIGC, of the first sentence of the Spanish Anti-Doping Commission, issued against the footballer Alejandro Dario Gomez.
“The sentence provides for a two-year disqualification from sporting activities. The presence of Terbutaline was found in the footballer’s biological samples.
“It is a drug taken to calm a bronchospasm issue, in October 2022, when the footballer was registered for Sevilla FC.
“Positivity is the result of an involuntary assumption.
“AC Monza reserves the right to evaluate the next procedural steps.”