ROME (AP) — Former Italy forward Giuseppe Rossi has escaped a ban despite failing a doping test.
The American-born Rossi tested positive for an eye drug that can be used as a masking agent.
The anti-doping prosecutor was seeking a one-year ban but the 31-year-old Rossi was given only a reprimand following Monday's hearing.
The test was taken in May while Rossi played for Genoa at the end of the last Serie A season.
Dorzolamide, the substance found, is not banned when administered with eye drops but Rossi told anti-doping authorities that he did not use eye drops when he was questioned twice, in June and July. He said the positive test was because of an involuntary food contamination.
Rossi was born in New Jersey but played for Italy from 2008-14. His career has been slowed by a series of knee injuries.
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