Brazilian Michael’s ban for cocaine use extended

A soccer fan takes a photo with his cell phone during the Brazilian league soccer match between Fluminense and Flamengo, in Rio de Janeiro. (Hassan Ammar/AP)

ZURICH — Brazilian footballer Michael has had a ban for using cocaine extended to August in a settlement ending a case at sport’s highest court.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport says it approved an out-of-court agreement involving the player, who was originally banned until January, and the World Anti-Doping Agency.

WADA says the settlement "means the player’s period of ineligibility will finish on Aug. 31 2015."

WADA had appealed to extend a 16-month ban imposed for the 21-year-old forward’s positive test for cocaine before a Fluminense match in April 2013.

Michael, who has just been training with Fluminense since January, acknowledged using the drug and was dropped from the Brazil Under-20 squad when the case was announced.

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