A surprise doping test, conducted by the Nado Italia agency between 4 and 6 July, has already revealed the presence of the banned substance nandrolone in the blood of Atalanta defender Jose Luis Palomino.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Jose Palomino, as a result of the positive test, could now face a multiple-year ban. After failing to meet the requirements, the player was immediately suspended and has been asked to respond to the accusations.
The report suggests that the player has violated articles 2.1 and 2.2 of the Sports Anti-Doping Code. The respective articles mention the “personal responsibility of the athlete in ensuring that he does not take prohibited substances”.
It is also anticipated that the player could face a two-year ban in the case of unintentional consumption of the prohibited substance. But the spell of suspension could increase up to four years if the player was intentionally involved in the misconduct.
In Palomino’s sample, traces of metabolite clostebol have been discovered. It is an anabolic steroid used as a healing ointment. Knowing the negative result, the Argentian was as shocked as other members of the Bergamo club.
The managers at Atalanta hold the player in high esteem and truly believe that it was unintended misconduct on the player’s part.
As they await further clarification on the matter before issuing an official statement, Palomino, along with his lawyer, will take stock of the situation.
They will try to find out how the substance entered the player’s body in the first place. Checks will be carried out with his partner Juline Aline Mathey and his daughter Carolina in an attempt to unravel the mystery.
Palomino will be judged in court after the summer. Unless some sort of bargain is reached between the player’s entourage and the National Anti-Doping Court, the defender will be out of Atalanta’s opening games in Serie A 2022/22 season.
GIFN | Jyotirmoy Halder
