ZURICH: Peru World Cup midfielder Joel Sanchez has been suspended for two years by FIFA after failing a dope test after a qualifying tie in La Paz, Bolivia, last October writes KEIR RADNEDGE.

Sanchez had been banned provisionally in January after testing positive for Methylhexaneamine, a substance included on the 2012 prohibited list of the World Anti-Doping Agency.

The suspension starts from January 22 this year, on which he was suspended provisionally by the chairman of the world federation’s disciplinary committee. It applies to all matches at domestic and international level.

Sanchez, who plays his club football for Universidad San Martín de Porres was deemed to have contravened Article 63 of FIFA’s disciplinary code.

The 23-year-old from Arquipa played previously for Atletico Universidad and Total Chalaco. In 2009 he transferred to top Lima club Alianza fro two seasons. He obtained a free transfer in 2011 after a contract squabble with Alianza which was resolved in his favour by a federation tribunal. Subsequently he signed for Universidad San Martín.

Already a youth international, Sanchez made his senior Peru debut in 2009 as a second-half substitute in a 3-1 defeat by Venezuela in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. He was not recalled until the fateful 1-1 draw with Bolivia last October.

Metilhexanamine is sold over the counter in many territories as an aid to weight loss, as a mild stimulant and/or as a nasal decongestant. Increasingly it is being used in nutritional supplements designed to increase energy. Since 2010 it has featured on the banned list of the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Last October baseball player Marcus Stroman, of Toronto Blue Jays, was suspended for 50 games after testing positive for metilhexanamine which is also on the banned list of Major League Baseball.

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