Sporting prosecutors have
requested that a tribunal ban former Italy striker Giuseppe
Rossi for one year in a doping case, ANSA sources said Tuesday.
The 31-year-old tested positive for a substance that is
allowed only in one specific case after playing for Genoa in a
1-0 defeat at Benevento in Serie A last season, the sources
said.
When asked about the positive test by anti-doping agency Nado
Italia, Rossi allegedly failed to give an adequate explanation
as to why the substance was in his system.
United States-born Rossi was long considered one of Italian
football's top prospects, but his career has been hampered by a
long series of injuries.
The former Parma, Villarreal and Fiorentina forward is a free
agent after parting company with Genoa at the end of last
season.
Genoa coach Davide Ballardini said: "I don't have many
certainties in life but one if that Giuseppe Rossi can't have
used banned substances.
"And I'm certain that Rossi didn't".
Rossi himself said "I have always been clean, this is a clear
case to be shelved: the positive test if due to an involuntary
food contamination".
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