Chivas officially sack Víctor Guzmán after positive doping result | OneFootball

The new era of Chivas got off to the best possible start over the weekend, as the Sacred Flock defeated FC Juárez 2-0 behind a pair of first-half goals from Alexis Vega and JJ Macías within a two-minute span.

However, on Monday, they received some bad news that could put a significant dent in their title hopes.

Chivas midfielder Víctor ‘Pocho’ Guzmán allegedly tested positive for doping last August while still with Pachuca after their match against Querétaro, and has been sacked from the Chivas squad.

The transfer between Chivas and Pachuca is now canceled, meaning Guzmán will return to Pachuca while Chivas are now owed the original $10m fee that they paid for the player last month.

Because Chivas likely did not pay one lump sum for the player, Pachuca will only have to pay Chivas back whatever money has already been spent on the player.

The president of Liga MX, Enrique Bonilla, confirmed the investigation.

“What happened is that this happened last season on a day where some Liga MX players performed random drug tests,” Bonilla told TUDN.

“The player (Guzmán) was selected and, this week, we received the report from the official laboratory of WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency).

“(The warning was) first through the National Anti-Doping Committee, who in turn notified the player first, then us, and then the clubs.

“That is how far the situation has gone so far. It is an adverse result but they still have not determined if it’s positive or not.”

When a player obtains an adverse result, the protocol indicates that the ‘B’ sample should be reviewed in the presence of the player and to be analysed again in a laboratory endorsed by WADA (World Antidoping Agency).

Guzmán now faces a potential ban ranging anywhere from six months to two years, potentially more if the case is taken to court.

According to the Mexican Football Federation (FMF), Chivas were informed about his positive test on Thursday, which is why Guzmán was not included in the squad for Saturday’s opening match.