FIFA bans Peru player Joel Sanchez for 2 years for doping at World Cup qualifier

ZURICH – FIFA has suspended Joel Sanchez for two years after the Peru midfielder tested positive for doping at a 2014 World Cup qualifier.

FIFA says the 23-year-old Sanchez is banned from "all matches, whether friendly or official fixtures, at domestic and international level" through to January 21, 2015.

Sanchez tested positive for the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine after a 1-1 draw at Bolivia in La Paz last October.

Sanchez can appeal the ruling imposed Friday by FIFA's disciplinary panel.

Peru is eighth in the nine-team South American qualifying group and has only an outside chance of reaching the World Cup in Brazil.