From the moment Paolo Guerrero tested positive for Benzoylecgonine in the wake of Peru’s 0-0 draw away to Argentina last October, his participation in the World Cup was in doubt.
FIFA initially handed him a one-year ban, which would have seen him miss out, but he and his legal team successfully appealed that decision. Guerrero was suffering from a mild flu on the day of the match and the explanation given was that the appearance of the cocaine metabolite was due to him accidentally ingesting the remains of a cup of coca tea as he sought to take in fluids to improve his condition.
FIFA reduced the ban to six months.
However, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) then decided to appeal that decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Earlier this month, Guerrero presented himself in front of a CAS tribunal in Switzerland, intent on not only avoiding an extension of his ban but of clearing himself of any wrongdoing.
Guerrero came out of that hearing in a positive mood, confident that his arguments would yield a positive result. A couple of days later, he was applauded back onto the pitch as he made his return to action with his club side Flamengo having served his six-month ban. On Sunday, he scored in their defeat to Chapecoense. Later that day, he was all smiles as he took part in a national team photoshoot.
On Monday, however, the news filtered through that CAS had sided with WADA’s interpretation of the FIFA rulebook, which states that a ban of at least a year should be handed out for a contravention of their anti-doping laws, even if the defendant bears no significant fault or negligence. His six-month ban was extended to 14 months.
“They are robbing me of the World Cup,” Guerrero said in a video address. Given that he is 34 years old and this is the first time Peru have qualified for the competition in 36 years, this was likely his one and only chance to play in the tournament. “My son is devastated,” his mother told local media. “This is the most pain I’ve ever felt in my life.”
Aside from the emotional effect on Guerrero, his loved ones and teammates, it is a decision that robs Peru of one of their most influential and important players. A battle-hardened number nine, Guerrero acted as the focal point around which the team’s myriad of nippy little attacking midfielders congregated. It was he who led the team in difficult moments.
Coach Ricardo Gareca has, at least, had some time to test out alternative solutions. Guerrero’s initial six-month ban meant that he missed the two-legged intercontinental playoff with New Zealand in which Peru sealed their World Cup place and also their impressive March friendly victories over Croatia and Iceland in the United States.
In that latter pair of matches, Gareca’s formula was a 4-4-2 formation, with Jefferson Farfan partnered up front by Andre Carrillo, then Raul Ruidiaz. Short passing through midfield was mixed with longer balls into the channels for the mobile forwards. Peru didn’t make public their preliminary squad but all indications are that no like-for-like replacement for Guerrero will be selected, so their approach in Russia is likely to be similar.
The reintegration of Farfan, who returned to the national team fold last September after almost 18 months away, has been a successful one. Two goals and two assists in six starts suggest he is capable of covering Guerrero’s absence in terms of direct contributions to goals.
And in general, as a collective, Peru are good enough to get by without their captain. When all is functioning well, their neat ball progression, varied movement and solid organisation out of possession will still make them difficult opponents. But when their backs are against the wall, when things aren’t going their way, that is when they will most miss Guerrero.
