Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Football, Jose Mourinho, AS Roma, Serie A
Chris Byfield
Jose Mourinho issued a brutal response to Papu Gomez's two-year drug ban.
Roma beat Monza 1-0 on Sunday, despite Mourinho being sent off for directing a ‘crying’ gesture towards opposition manager Raffaele Palladino and the fourth official.
And the Portuguese boss didn’t hold back in his subsequent media duties, accusing the Monza staff of “putting on a show” and then mocking Gomez’s doping ban.
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Earlier this week Monza confirmed that World Cup-winning midfielder Gomez has been given a two-year ban from football by FIFA after allegedly taking a banned substance.
Gomez, who only signed for Monza from Sevilla in September, has since claimed he had banned substance Terbutaline in his system after ingesting a spoonful of his son’s cough syrup.
Nevertheless, Mourinho was quick to direct criticism at the Argentina star, whose previous club had beaten Roma in the Europa League Final in May.
Mourinho mischievously said: “Gomez did not play in the Europa League Final.
“I think he did play against Juventus after getting a positive result. In any case, I don’t want to talk about this. If I get a cough, then I won’t take that syrup, or else I will be in trouble too.”
Mourinho was perhaps particularly pointed, having been lambasted by Gomez a week prior to the Argentina player's ban.
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On Mourinho, Gomez had said: “I only have one memory of him and that is winning the Europa League with Sevilla against him”.
Moreover, upon receiving his drug ban Gomez said in a statement: “Following recent stories written about my possible violation of the anti-doping rules, I wish to inform the media and public opinion of the following:
“1) I confirm that I received word from the Spanish anti-doping commission that my licence is suspended for a period of two years.
“2) I always not just rigorously respected all the rules, but also stood up as a strong defender of clean sport and sporting behaviour, condemning categorically any form of doping.
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“3) I never, nor do I intend to, rely on a banned practice.
“4) The presumed violation originates from the presence of Terbutaline in my system, which I accidentally ingested with a spoonful of cough syrup for my son, to alleviate his cough. It is important to specify that Terbutaline is allowed for professional athletes and in no way does it improve performance in football.
“5) Without getting into the situation, I have asked my lawyers to look into the suggestion the disciplinary case was not treated according to the norms.
“6) I finally wish to thank all those who showed me affection and support during these difficult moments of my professional life.”
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