National coach Luis Fernando Suárez has defended his select player Orlando Galo from Germany’s World Cup group opponents Costa Rica after a positive doping test and is hoping for a quick clarification of the matter.
Speaking on the Zona Libre de Humo radio station, Suárez praised the values Galo stands for and his professionalism. However, it is questionable whether the 62-year-old Colombian can plan with Galo at the World Cup. There, Costa Rica will play Germany on the third day of the group match (December 1). Other group opponents are Japan and Spain.
During a doping test on September 21 this year, two days before the 2-2 preparatory match against South Korea, an anabolic steroid was discovered in Galo. A total of 15 samples were taken from players.
Galo has been provisionally suspended by FIFA. He has played nine international matches so far, but the 22-year-old from Club Sport Herediano was not part of the decisive play-off win (1-0) against New Zealand in June in World Cup host country Qatar.