Former Chelsea playmaker Deco contests ban for failed drugs test

The former Portugal international has retired since the positive test

Deco during his Chelsea days (GETTY IMAGES)

Former Portugal playmaker Deco has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport over his one-year ban for a failed drugs test.

The 36-year-old, who has now retired, was tested after Fluminense's 2-0 win over Boavista on March 30 and his sample contained traces of furosemide - a diuretic which can be used to mask other substances.

The former Porto, Barcelona and Chelsea player has protested his innocence, claiming the positive test is the result of a contaminated vitamin supplement, and has now submitted an appeal to the CAS.

A statement on the CAS website read: "The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has registered an appeal filed by the Portuguese football player Anderson Luis de Souza, known popularly as 'Deco', against a decision taken by the Brazilian 'Superior Tribunal de Justica Desportiva do Futebol' (STJD), according to which he was found to have committed an anti-doping rule infraction and suspended for one year.

"The player requests the annulment of the STJD decision and that he be cleared of any anti-doping rule violation.

"The CAS will set the procedural calendar in the next days."

PA