Deco given year ban for doping

Former Barcelona and Chelsea star Deco has been given a one-year ban from football for doping by Brazil’s Superior Court of Sport Justice.

The Portugal international tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide (a diuretic) and carboxy-tamoxifen (a hormone drug) in March after Fluminense’s 2-0 win over Boavista.

Although originally sentenced to a 30-day ban in the first trial, his suspension has been increased significantly. Deco claimed at the time that the positive test was the result of a contaminated vitamin supplement.

However, the decision is unlikely to inconvenience the 36-year-old too much as he announced his retirement from playing professional football in August.