Cancer-hit Sassuolo defender suspended over failed drugs test

Rome: Sassuolo defender Francesco Acerbi was suspended by the Italian Olympic Committee (Coni) on Friday after testing positive for a banned substance he was taking to treat testicular cancer.

Acerbi, who was once called up to the Italy squad in 2012 by coach Ceasre Prandelli, will not be able to play against Juventus on Sunday. The former AC Milan player tested positive for human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone produced by pregnant women, following Sassuolo`s 2-2 draw at Cagliari on December 1. Acerbi was operated on for testicular cancer in July but according to the national anti-doping tribunal (TNA), he does not have a Theraputic Use Exemption (TUE) to take the substance.