Former Sampdoria star Francesco Flachi has failed in his appeal to shorten a ban for failing a drugs test.
The respected and popular Blucerchiati captain tested positive for cocaine after Samp’s game against Inter on January 28, 2007.
Flachi was sentenced to 16 months out of the game, which was increased to two years by the Italia Football Federation last June.
The 33-year-old must now accept that he won’t return until May 2009 at earliest.
Sampdoria sacked Flachi after his conviction and he is currently without a club and training with local amateur sides.
The Florence native made 241 appearances for Doria, but he is highly unlikely to earn another spell at Marassi and his top-level career could be over.
