Joao CABREIRA was accused of avoiding an out of competition control in July 2008. In October, he was suspended for 10 months by the Portuguese federation, but in december he was cleared from any responsibility.
In February 2009, CABREIRA was suspended again, now for 2 years, because of "tampering with a doping control sample". He was controlled on 19 May 2008, as part of an investigation of the LA-MSS team, and it was proven that he used an enzyme, protease, to mask the presence of EPO in his urine.
In May 2009, Cabreira was cleared again by the Portuguese court, but in April 2010, the TAS confirmed the ban of 2 years, which now will end in January 2011.