Ivory Coast goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo has been banned from the sport for 18 months for doping violation.
Gbohouo was tested positive World Anti-Doping Agency in November and his sample contained substance Trimetazidine.
A FIFA Disciplinary Committee hearing found he did not take the substance deliberately and used it for a recognised medical condition.
“As a result of the presence of the prohibited substance in his sample, the player was found to be in violation of article 6 of the FIFA Anti-Doping Regulations as read in conjunction with article 17 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code,” a statement from FIFA reads.
Gbohouo was provisionally suspended in December prompting the Ivorian Football Federation to file an appeal to FIFA as he missed the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
“The aforementioned suspension period starts on 23 December 2021, the date on which the player was provisionally suspended by the chairman of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee,” the world football governing body added.
“ In line with article 30 of the FIFA Anti-Doping Regulations, the suspension covers, inter alia, all types of matches, including domestic, international, friendly and official fixtures.
Gbohouo has been starring for Wolkite City first team since September 2020 and has contributed in no small measure to the club’s success in the ongoing Ethiopian Premier League.
The experienced custodian has 56 caps for Ivory Coast and was their first-choice keeper under former head coach Patrice Beaumelle.
He was previously with DR Congo giants TP Mazembe where he made 156 appearances in all competitions after joining from Ivorian top-flight side Sewe Sport.
He enjoyed success with the Ravens winning five domestic league titles, Super Coupe du Congo thrice, CAF Champions League once, CAF Confederation Cup twice and CAF Super Cup once.
Gbohouo was part of the Ivory Coast squad that won the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
