Vasco midfielder Alberto faces doping ban

Carlos Alberto in action during a training session of Vasco da Gama at Sao Januario training centre on March 13, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Getty Images)

Rio de Janeiro, April 17 (IANS): Vasco da Gama midfielder Carlos Alberto faces a two-year ban from football after failing a doping test.

The 28-year-old was found to have traces of illegal substances hydrochlorothiazide and metabolic tamoxifen in test samples taken after Vasco de Gama’s 3-2 victory over Fluminense on March 2, the Rio de Janeiro Football Federation said Tuesday.

Hydrochlorothiazide is known as a masking agent while metabolic tamoxifen blocks the production of the female hormone estrogen.

Vasco de Gama said in a statement that the club would contest the charges.

“We are taking all necessary steps to identify the causes and present a defence of the player,” the statement said.

The Rio de Janeiro outfit has expressed an interest in extending Alberto’s contract, which ends in August this year.