DESPITE the threat of a ban hanging over his head - literally - The Samba sharpshooter faces disciplinary action from the Brazilian Football Association after testing positive for a banned substance. The 41-year-old and his club claim he has been taking medicine to combat hair loss for the past 15 years. Brazilian legend Romario is set to lead out Vasco de Gama for the start of the 2008 Dubai Football Challenge tonight.
But after a match against Palmeiras in October Romario, who has scored more than 1,000 goals, tested positive for the banned substance finasteride. Finasteride is a masking agent which can be used hide anabolic steroids and Vasco insist it must have been in the hair medicine, which was not on the banned list. The Brazilian FA will not meet to discuss the case until just before the season re-opens on January 20, leaving Romario free to lead his side in Dubai. Romario has been taking medicine for losing his hair for the last 15 years without any problems, Vasco de Gama president Eurico Angelo de Oliveira Miranda told 7DAYS. �Then last season it came on the forbidden list then they took it off, but they claim it can be used to hide substances so we are still waiting to hear.
It will become clear when we get back to Brazil. Romario and his president reputedly had a bust-up yesterday. But the World Cup winner was there to give the tournament a lift off at the Al Maktoum Stadium at Al Nasr Club in Oud Metha. And the club have re-assured fans that the former Barcelona poacher will be on the sidelines when Vasco face off against reigning champions Hamburg in the first match of the 2008 Dubai Football Challenge at the Al Nasr Club tonight (5pm). Asked whether the old warhorse will feature in the match, Miranda said: Probably. He is coach so he selects the team and will probably select himself for some part of the game.
And the Brazilians mean business.It’s an honour to be here and to represent Brazilian football, said Vasco player Manoel Marias. We will have respect for all the other teams, but we are here to do our best and take the trophy back to Brazil, he added. But German side Hamburg aren’t about to let go of their title. Midfielder Sidney Sam said: I’m proud to participate in this tournament. It will be a great honour to do well.
This entry was posted
on Thursday, January 10th, 2008 at 10:59 am and is filed under HAIR LOSS: TRICHOLOGIST AT WORK by Gary Heron, TRICHOTALK by Gary Heron Trichologist.
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