Atalanta defender Jose Palomino’s “B” sample has tested positive for a banned substance, Italy’s anti-doping organization said on Friday.
The 32-year-old Argentine was provisionally suspended by Italian authorities last month after testing positive for a metabolite of clostebol, a steroid found in some medications on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned list .
The Bergamo-based club said Palomino will request full analytical documentation of his samples. The trial conducted in Rome on Thursday confirmed the result of the first analysis, NADO Italia said in a statement.
Atalanta did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. They had previously said during investigations that they were firmly convinced that the player’s non-involvement in the affair could be proven.
Palomino, who joined Atalanta in 2017 from Bulgarian club Ludogorets, has made 202 appearances for them in all competitions.
Atalanta will start their Serie A campaign in Sampdoria on Saturday after finishing eighth in the table last season.