WCup veteran Juninho escapes doping suspension

WCup veteran Juninho escapes doping suspension

Published Oct. 20, 2012 1:21 a.m. ET

Former Brazil midfielder Juninho has escaped punishment for failing to follow doping test rules after a Brazilian league match.

Brazil's sports tribunal on Friday only warned Juninho for going to the locker room before undergoing the test after Vasco da Gama's match against Ponte Preta on Sept. 23.

There is a suspension of up to two years for breaking the rule.

The 37-year-old playmaker said he was ''relieved'' but said he felt he had already been ''morally punished'' because his name was linked to doping.

ADVERTISEMENT

He said the case made headlines across Europe, especially in France, where he thrived with Lyon for several years.

Juninho played for Brazil at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where the team was eliminated by France in the quarterfinals.

share