Paolo Guerrero Could Make Peru World Cup Squad as Ban for Failing Drug Test is Reduced

Peruvian striker Paolo Guerrero is available to participate in next year's World Cup tournament again, with the 33-year-old's ban getting reduced to six months.

Guerrero was slapped with a one-year football ban after testing positive for cocaine after a qualifier against Argentina in October. 

His suspension was supposed to run from November 3, 2017 to November 3, 2018. But according to FIFA, the Flamengo forward has gotten the ban reduced after a successful appeal.

A statement on the FIFA website reads: "On 20 December 2017, the FIFA Appeal Committee decided to partially uphold the appeal lodged by the Peruvian international player Paolo Guerrero. 

"The decision rendered by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee on 7 December suspending the player for one year was therefore partially set aside and the initial period of ineligibility of one year imposed against the player has been reduced to six months."

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While he won't be able to play club football, with the Brazil Serie A season closing in December and re-opening in May, he will be able to participate in the World Cup, providing Peru recall him.

There is a great possibility too, as the Peruvian Football Association said they would stand behind the 33-year-old in his time of trouble after receiving the news.

Guerrero, who played for both Bayern Munich and Hamburger SV in Germany, is his country's all-time leading goalscorer, having bagged 33 goals in 84 appearances and his legal representatives are now seeking to have the ban lifted completely.