After weeks of devastation, Peruvians are currently the happiest sports fans on earth right now. This morning fans of La Blanquirroja woke up to news that Paolo Guerrero – the team’s best player and captain – is cleared to play in the World Cup. Just two weeks ago, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) extended Paolo Guerrero’s six-month FIFA ban – which was set to expire in May – until January 2018, meaning he was going to miss the World Cup. In October, Guerrero tested positive for benzoylecgonine – the main metabolite of cocaine, something he has said is the result of drinking coca tea. But a Swiss court has now given Guerrero permission to play. “Paolo Guerrero can take part in the next World Cup, the court said, according to The Guardian.
Guerrero has released a statement, saying, “There are no limits. There are no impossible dreams, because it’s now proven when Peruvians unite, anything is possible.”
The interim order freezes Guerrero’s 14-month ban until the case can be decided at a later date. CAS has already said it would “not object” a federal judge freezing the ban, so it looks like there should not be any more telenovela-like surprises. *knocks on wood* This will be Peru’s first World Cup appearance since 1982, so naturally, emotions are high. Check out a few tweets from jubilant Peruvians below.
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https://twitter.com/nikoblasto/status/1002171531315896320