Former FIFA World Player of the Year Romario, who is currently playing for Vasco da Gama in Brazil, has revealed he has tested positive for banned substance finasteride.
The 41-year-old called a press conference where he announced he tested positive for the substance following the 2-2 draw between Vasco and Palmeiras on October 28.
Romario claims he was using finasteride to treat hair loss and although it is the active ingredient in anti-baldness drug Propecia, the drug is banned by the World Anti-Doping Code because it can mask the use of anabolic steroids.
Romario: wants career to continue
The striker insisted he would not let the result end his career and will await a hearing before Brazil's sport tribunal.
He faces a ban of between 120 to 360 days by the Supreme Court of Sporting Justice (STJD), but insists it will not affect his participation in the Rio de Janeiro State Championship.
'This problem will not affect my plans to play in the Campeonato Carioca. There are some things you cannot accuse of being seen as doping,' he said.
'If it had contributed to improve my performance, my career would have been even better. I now run less and I score less goals. I have done some other tests, but I didn't know this substance would cause a problem.
'I hope the STJD organise a special session as it is a delicate situation for me, considering my career, my parents, my children. Despite the situation I feel calm, but this is something everybody would be uncomfortable with.'
