RIO DE JANEIRO, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- Former Brazil international midfielder Juninho says he has had his name unfairly tainted after being cleared of drug charges by a Brazilian sports tribunal on Friday.
The Vasco da Gama free-kick specialist was found not guilty of breaching the World Anti-Doping Code by failing to provide a test sample directly after leaving the pitch during a match last month.
I feel like I have been morally punished for having to come here and explain something I did not do, said the former star of French top-flight outfit Lyon.
My reputation has been stained in France because it has been linked to doping, something that I have never done. It's disappointing to have to explain to everybody what happened.
Juninho, capped 47 times for Brazil, was accused of violating the drug code after visiting his side's changing room before providing a urine sample after Vasco's away fixture to Ponte Preta on September 23.
Vasco doctor Albino Pinto later explained the 37-year-old had returned to the rooms to pick up his bag to avoid being late for a connecting flight.
It was initially thought Juninho could receive a two-year ban, the maximum penalty for the charges.
Despite Juninho's acquittal, Vasco was fined 1,500 U.S. dollars for failing to adhere to its legal obligation of complying with competition rules.
Fluminense's reserve goalkeeper Ricardo Berna and Santos defender Juan were cleared by the tribunal of the same charges in hearings held on Thursday and Friday. Both clubs also received a 1,500 dollars fine.