LIMA, Dec. 5 (Xinhua) -- A provisional doping ban handed to Peru striker Paolo Guerrero has been extended for another 20 days, the Peruvian football federation said on Tuesday.
The announcement came as FIFA's disciplinary committee sought more time to decide whether to impose a heftier penalty on the 33-year-old, according to Peruvian federation president Edwin Oviedo.
"We have learned from FIFA that there has been an extension of 20 days for an evaluation by the disciplinary commission," Oviedo told reporters.
Guerrero, who plays his club football for Brazil's Flamengo, tested positive to an unspecified stimulant after Peru's 2018 World Cup qualifier against Argentina in Buenos Aires on October 5.
He was given a one-month provisional ban on November 4, forcing him out of Peru's World Cup qualifying playoff games against New Zealand.
Guerrero's legal team presented its defence to the disciplinary committee in Zurich last week and the player later said that FIFA had ruled out drug use.
"I am very confident, I know that everything will be alright. Now we wait for FIFA's response," he told Peru's Channel N.
Peru qualified for their first World Cup since 1982 by defeating New Zealand 2-0 on aggregate over two legs in their intercontinental playoff.
Guerrero, a former Bayern Munich player, is Peru's all-time leading goalscorer with 32 goals in 85 appearances for the national team.
