LIMA, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) plans to appeal against a decision to reduce the doping ban of Peruvian national football team captain Paolo Guerrero.
Guerrero was suspended for 12 months in December after testing positive for the cocaine metabolite benzoylecgonine following Peru's World Cup qualifier against Argentina in Buenos Aires on October 5.
The penalty, backdated to November, was halved by FIFA's appeal committee less than two weeks later.
Pedro Fida, a member of Guerrero's legal team, confirmed media reports that WADA intended to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and could even ask for the original penalty to be extended.
"WADA indicated its intention to appeal, which it has the right to do under FIFA's anti-doping regulations," Peruvian newspaper El Comercio quoted Fida as saying.
A WADA spokesperson could not immediately be reached for comment.
Guerrero is also taking the case to the Switzerland-based CAS in a bid to have the suspension annulled completely.
"WADA will likely try to increase the sanction period while we continue to fight for his acquittal," Fida said. "The case is very clear and the evidence is very solid. We are confident."
Guerrero, who plays his club football for Brazil's Flamengo, has denied using cocaine or drinking coca tea, claiming he was a victim of food or drink contamination.
The former Bayern Munich player is due to resume playing on May 3, just six weeks before Peru's first World Cup appearance since 1982.
The World Cup will be played in 11 Russian cities from June 14 to July 15.
