Uruguayan forward Carneiro provisionally banned in doping case

RIO DE JANEIRO, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Sao Paulo's Uruguayan forward Gonzalo Carneiro has been provisionally suspended for an alleged doping offense.

The 23-year-old tested positive to an illicit substance after Sao Paulo's 1-0 defeat by Palmeiras on March 16 in the Sao Paulo state championship. Local media reported that the drug was cocaine.

Sao Paulo confirmed the news on Monday but did not comment publicly.

Carneiro has until Wednesday to provide a B sample to the Sao Paulo football federation, whose testers are approved by the Brazilian sports doping authority ABCD.

The former Defensor Sporting player has scored just one top-flight goal since joining Sao Paulo last year on a three-year deal.