Brazil And Shakhtar Donetsk Midfielder Fred Receives One-Year Ban For Doping

Brazilian midfielder Fred (Frederico Rodrigues Santos) has received a one-year ban for doping from the South American confederation. It reportedly stems from his use of a diuretic called hydrochlorothiazide during last summer’s Copa America in Chile, according to Fox Sports. 

Fred also plays for Ukraine’s Shakhtar Donetsk; he as appeared for them in both domestic and European competitions while waiting for the verdict.

The South American federation has back-dated the ban to June 26, 2015, effectively trimming it to six months. Furthermore, they can only bar Fred from competitions that it administers. There is a chance, however, that FIFA will extend the ban to world football, blocking him from Shakhtar’s games as well.

The backdating could fortunately combine with league scheduling if FIFA expands the ban, though, The Ukrainian league is currently in the midst of it’s winter break, meaning Fred would not miss any matches until February; by then, his ban will only have a few months remaining.

Photo: Frederico Rodrigues Santos by Олександр Осіпов. Photo via Wikimedia Commons