FIFA World Cup 2018: Peru captain Paolo Guerrero cleared to play after doping ban

Lausanne: Peru captain Paolo Guerrero took a step closer to appearing in the World Cup on Thursday after the top sports court said it would not oppose a temporary lifting of his drugs ban.

Last week Guerrero filed an appeal with the Swiss Federal Court against a 14-month ban for cocaine use that would keep him out of the World Cup. He also filed for a stay, in effect asking that the ban be suspended until after the tournament.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) indicated it would not oppose a stay for Guerrero, who tested positive for traces of cocaine after a World Cup qualifier against Argentina in November.

"Paolo Guerrero has also filed an urgent request for a stay of the execution of the suspension in order to be able to participate in the forthcoming FIFA World Cup in Russia," CAS said in a statement.

"The CAS will not object to the request for a stay."

Guerrero, 34, has asked the Swiss court to rule before June 4, the deadline for participating nations to name their 23-man squads.

He was initially banned for six months for doping but appealed against the suspension in a effort to clear his name. However, CAS extended the ban to 14 months on May 14, ruling him out of the June 14-July 15 World Cup.