Why did Peru captain Paolo Guerrero have his ban overturned and can he play in the World Cup 2018 in Russia?
Peru will be going to Russia with their captain after his ban was reversed
FANS in Peru are breathing a sigh of relief after their captain Paolo Guerrero had his ban overturned for the World Cup in Russia.
Guerrero is the country's all-time top goalscorer and the 34-year-old has been an instrumental part of the team since 2004.
Despite his individual success for his country, the striker has never played at a World Cup as they failed to qualify in 2010 and 2014.
Why was Paolo Guerrero banned?
ON December 9, 2017 Guerrero tested positive for cocaine and metabolite benzoylecgonine after drinking contaminated "coca tea".
He was banned by FIFA from all competitions for one year meaning that he could not participate in the World Cup in 2018.
FIFA decided to reduce the ban to six months meaning he would be illegible BUT on May 14 the Court of Arbitration for Sport extended his ban to 14 months.
They stated that he did not intend to enhance his performance but he was at fault.
Thousands of Peruvian fans took to the streets to protest the decision.
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Why was Paolo Guerrero's ban overturned?
Swiss Federal Judge Cristina Kiss decided that the Peru captain should be allowed to play in his first World Cup.
She said the tournament could be "without any doubt the crowning glory of his career."
The court would no doubt have been influenced by submissions from rival captains Mile Jedinak, Simon Kjaer and Hugo Lloris calling for lenience.
And CAS said before the decision that they would not object if the Swiss Federal Court decided to allow Guerrero to play in the World Cup.
Will Paolo Guerrero still serve a ban?
Paolo Guerrero's 14-month ban is still in force but has been frozen until after the World Cup.
That opens up the possibility of retirement for the Peru captain and throws his future with club Flamengo into doubt.
But for now he is just relieved to be able to experience the opportunity of a lifetime.
He said: "This decision does justice, at least partially, and I'm grateful to the Swiss court."
"There are no limits. There are no impossible dreams, as it has been proved that when Peruvians are united, everything is possible."
Who is in the Peru squad for the World Cup?
PERU have named a 24-man preliminary squad, which is as follows:
Carlos Caceda, Jose Carvallo, Pedro Gallese, Luis Abram, Luis Advincula, Pedro Aquino, Miguel Araujo, Andre Carrillo, Wilder Cartagena, Aldo Corzo, Christian Cueva, Jefferson Farfan, Edison Flores, Paolo Hurtado, Nilson Loyola, Sergio Pena, Andy Polo, Christian Ramos, Alberto Rodriguez, Raul Ruidiaz, Anderson Santamaria, Renato Tapia, Miguel Trauco, Yoshimar Yotun, Paolo Guerrero
Which group are they in?
PERU are in Group C with Australia, Denmark and France.
Their first game is on Saturday, June 16 against Denmark.
All three captains from the other teams in Group C have appealed to FIFA to lift the ban.
France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris and Australian midfielder Mile Jedinak have also shown their support for the Peruvian.