Perú's first World Cup after 36 years needed a proper team, and they couldn't call themselves the best team possible without their moral leader, captain and all-time top scorer. Today, striker Paolo Guerrero revealed the news to the world: he will make his debut in a World Cup this summer.
The Peruvian striker was initially banned for 12 months from all comps due to a metabolite found in cocaine, following a doping test in October. The player appealed and had his ban halved by FIFA's Appeals committee. Nevertheless, the World Anti Doping Agency filed an appeal themselves, and the Court of Arbitrage for Sports (CAS) decided not only to restore the initial ban, but added two extra months to the penalty.
Team captains for France, Denmark and Australia urged FIFA to lift the ban. Even FIFPro sent Gianni Infantino a plea to have Guerrero's ban lifted, but the president of football's governing body couldn't overturn CAS' ruling. Guerrero's last resort, taking his case to a Swiss court, saw his ban being temporarily lifted, and now the 34-year-old striker will play for Peru in their first World Cup performance since 1982.
A press release by CAS revealed that the organization will not appeal this decision, clearing Guerrero to play.
The Peruvian Football Federation shared a press release from Guerrero himself, who thanked the Swiss court for their decision and making his dream come true.
"The Peruvian Football Federation joyfully shares Paolo Guerrero's press release regarding the decision from the Swiss Federal Court. Congratulations Paolo!
La Federación Peruana de Fútbol comparte con alegría el comunicado de nuestro jugador Paolo Guerrero sobre la decisión del Tribunal Federal Suizo. ¡Felicidades Paolo! pic.twitter.com/cycKpdTjVI
— FPF (@TuFPF) May 31, 2018
Full translation of Guerrero's PR.
"The Swiss Federal Court has temporarily suspended the unfair ban against me, and in consequence, I have been cleared to join my National Team and play in the World Cup to be held in Russia as their captain.
This decision partially makes justice, and compromises my gratitude to the Swiss Court.
As the believer I am, I want to thank God in the first place, because I've always believed in Him. I'd like to thank my family for their invaluable support, and of course, this wouldn't have been possible without the support from the Peruvian Football Federation and its president, Edwin Oviedo, who fought this battle by my side in Switzerland day by day until the outcome turned out to benefit us.
I want to thank the invaluable support from my team-mates. They gave me the much-needed strength I needed to overcome this tough moment, but I'm not surprised about that, because they act as my family, and that's exactly what we've become. My eternal gratitude goes out to my countrymen, to the million compatriots that joined me in a thousand ways, with their overflowing love as a common ground. I invite them to stay together and to understand that, despite our different opinions, when Peruvians get together they can make the impossible possible.
Last, but not least, I'd like to thank FIFA president Gianni Infantino and the team captains for France, Denmark and Australia, to FIFPro, to my colleagues and to so many people that had something to do with this positive outcome.
My battle will continue, but my lawyers (who I also thank for their efforts) will take care of it. Meanwhile, I'll join my National Team and my team-mates. I promise that I will give my best out there to provide new joy to my country. There are no limits or impossible dreams, because we Peruvians have showed that anything is possible when we fight as one."
