Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro could receive a ruling as early as Friday after failing a doping test,allegedly for cortisone used to treat a bee sting. CONI anti-doping prosecutor Ettore Torri held a hearing with Cannavaro and Juventus medical director Bartolomeo Goitre in Turin late Thursday,only hours after the positive test was made public. Cortisone can be administered if authorization for therapeutic needs is granted beforehand,and it was unclear if Juventus received advance permission from CONI. Italian media speculated that Cannavaro will be cleared,while Juventus and Goitre could be sanctioned. Cannavaro,who helped Italy win the World Cup in Germany three years ago,was already suspended for the country's qualifier with Ireland on Saturday due to yellow cards. But he was expected to join the team for Wednesday's game against Cyprus. Cannavaro received a cortisone injection on 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.
