On October 10th 2017, Peru’s captain and all-time top goal scorer Paulo Guerrero scored the free-kick that booked Peru a spot in the play-offs. The South Americans knew they were on the brink of their first World Cup finals in 36 years, as only footballing minnows New Zealand now stood in their way. As the best player of Peru’s current generation, and the country’s only Ballon d’Or nominee ever, Guerrero’s goal fit perfectly into the narrative of such a revered footballer and elevated his already god-like status once more. But just three weeks later, shockwaves were sent across the nation when it was revealed the former Bayern Munich forward had tested positive for cocaine, and had been given a provisional suspension. His absence didn’t prevent Peru from qualifying for the World Cup as they coasted past an insipid New Zealand side, but shortly afterwards Guerrero was given a one-year ban that meant he would miss out on Russia. I was in Peru as the headlines quickly changed from unbridled joy to outrage. In the capital city of Lima, you’d be hard pressed to find a fan without a Guerrero shirt, flag, or tattoo. Peruvians blindly jumped to his defence, ignoring the rights or wrongs of his alleged crime. Following an appeal in December, his ban was reduced to just six months: his lawyers claimed that he had merely drunk coca tea, a common beverage in Peru made from the leaves that are used to manufacture cocaine. Peruvians celebrated the decision, and sports journalist Tim Vickery described it as a ‘triumph for justice’ now that Guerrero would be free to lead his team out in Russia. However, as his suspension draws to a close he’s not yet in the clear, as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced last week that they will appeal to increase Guerrero’s ban. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will hear their plea on May 3rd, while Guerrero has separately launched an appeal to overturn his six-month ban altogether.