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RIO DE JANEIRO - Veteran striker Romario said today he had tested positive for the banned substance finasteride in October but said he had been using it to prevent hair loss.
The 41-year-old striker for Vasco da Gama called a news conference to announce the result of the test conducted following the 2-2 draw between Vasco and Palmeiras on October 28.
Romario admitted to using the drug, the active ingredient in the anti-baldness drug Propecia.
The drug, however, is banned by the World Anti-Doping Code because it can mask the use of anabolic steroids.
Speaking to reporters, Romario - who was on Monday night awarded a special trophy by the Brazilian Soccer Confederation for scoring his 1000th goal, said he would not let the positive result end his career and that he would await a hearing before Brazil's sport tribunal.
Romario, FIFA's player of the year in 1994, has played infrequently in the past several months because of injuries.
- AP
