Romario is guilty of doping, but wants to continue career

BRASILIA, Dec.4 (Xinhua) -- Vasco forward Romario was tested positive for doping during a test after the team's 2-2 tie against Palmeiras last October in the Brasileiro Championship.

The 41-year-old himself announced the positive result today and stated that he does not plan on retiring due to the result of the test.

The illegal substance found in his blood stream was finasterida, a common substance found in medicine used to prevent balding.

Vasco club stated that they would provide all the help they could and demanded a second opinion.

"The substance appeared in my urine. They want to take a second sample, but I told them I don't want to. I have taken this medication for a long time," said Romario.

He continued to say: "I wanted to be the first to speak on the subject. I have played soccer for a number of years and I plan on playing next year in the Carioca Championship and this will not keep me from playing."

Romario will receive his judgment via the STJD (Superior Court of Sports Justice), who will define the penalty in relation to the player's current situation.

He is currently serving a 30 day suspension until the court decides his punishment.

Apart from the risk of suspension from the court, the player declared that the current situation would not influence him to retire prematurely.

Romario's case is the same as the player from Internacional, Marco, who was guilty of taking the same substance to prevent baldness.

Initially, Marco was suspended for 120 days, but was later fined to spend 60 days off of the soccer field. However, the player had to a minimum fine which went to the benefit of the poor.