Cannavaro set to join Italy despite doping case

FILE - In this Sunday, June 21, 2009 file photo, Italy's Fabio Cannavaro reacts after teammate Andrea Dossena, not pictured, scored an own goal during their Confederations Cup Group B soccer match against Brazil, at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa. Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro has failed a doping test. His club team Juventus says, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009, the positive exam was the result of a cortisone used to treat a bee sting. The Italian Olympic Committee's anti-doping prosecutor Ettore Torri has opened an investigation. Cannavaro was already suspended for Italy's World Cup qualifier with Ireland on Saturday, but he was expected to join the team for Wednesday's game against Cyprus. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner, File)

By The Associated Press

Oct. 9, 2009 10:02 AM PT

ROME —

Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro will join the team as scheduled Sunday despite failing a doping test, his coach Marcello Lippi said.

Cannavaro’s club team Juventus has said the failed test was the result of cortisone used to treat a bee sting.

“The case was blown out of proportion, but it’s over now,” Lippi said Friday. “I haven’t heard from Fabio but there was no need to. It all calmed down in two hours. Will he be with us Sunday? Yes, certainly.”

CONI anti-doping prosecutor Ettore Torri held a hearing with Cannavaro and Juventus medical director Bartolomeo Goitre in Turin late Thursday. Torri is still due to make a ruling.

Cortisone can be administered for therapy if authorization is granted. It was unclear if Juventus received permission from CONI.

Cannavaro, who helped Italy win the World Cup in Germany three years ago, already was suspended for the country’s qualifier with Ireland on Saturday because of yellow cards. Now, it appears he will return to the team to begin training for Wednesday’s game against Cyprus.

“The worries lasted three seconds, the time needed to read the news. It’s upsetting that some people think there’s something else under all this,” said teammate Giorgio Chiellini. “Fabio is very clean and it would be a mistake to mount a case when there is none. I was there when Fabio was bitten by a bee during training. His arm swelled right away and it created some worry.”

Cannavaro had a cortisone injection Aug. 29 to prevent an allergic reaction. He apparently tested positive a day later after Juventus’ game with AS Roma, although CONI has not provided details.

Cannavaro then joined Italy’s team for World Cup qualifiers with Georgia and Bulgaria, and the national squad’s staff said it was informed of the injection.