Peru captain Paolo Guerrero cleared to play in World Cup after cocaine ban

The striker's ban has been overturned by a court just weeks before the World Cup

Peru captain Paolo Guerrero has been cleared to play in this summer's World Cup after having his December 2017 ban for cocaine use overturned by a Swiss federal court. The 34-year-old had faced a 12 month ban for the offence, which he claimed occurred after drinking contaminated ‘coca tea’. Prior to having his ban overturned, the Flamengo striker had received the backing of the captains of France, Denmark and Australia - Peru's rivals in their World Cup group - who appealed to FIFA for the striker to be cleared to play. The former Bayern Munich man had previously appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after being banned by FIFA, before later appealing to a federal court, which granted his appeal. Guerrero's clearance to take part in the World Cup represents a massive boost to both the player and his country. Since his Peru debut in 2004 he has made 83 international appearances and is the country's all-time record goalscorer with 32 goals.