Story By: Juan Mayes, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Golder’s News And Sport
This Colombian international keeper has tested positive in a drug test and he has been handed a ban that will see him miss the rest of the club season.
Goalkeeper for top-flight Colombian club Deportes Tolima, Alvaro Montero tested positive for isometheptene in a sample collected on 21st November 2018 after a match against Medellin by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Isometheptene is a drug typically used in the treatment for migraines and tension headaches due to its properties that constricts the blood vessels.
Major Division of Colombian Professional Football (Dimayor), the Colombian authority on football, announced Montero is not allowed to play professionally for 60 days starting Tuesday 2nd October 2019.
This will keep him from playing in the remainder of the league as Tolima fight to advance to the playoff stage of the Colombian top-flight.
Montero will also miss the two international friendlies Colombia are set to play against Chile and Algeria on the 12th and 15th October respectively.
Montero was called up to the national team in September of last year and made his debut in a friendly against Panama on 3rd June this year, coming on for former Arsenal David Ospina in a match which Colombia won 3-0.
His official sanction is a provisional 60 days, however, local media report the shot-stopper’s counter sample also tested positive which means more time could be added to the initial sanction.
If no changes are made to the initial decision, Montero will be allowed to play again on 30th November of this year.
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