Atalanta's Palomino fails doping test after 'B' sample analysis

Atalanta defender Jose Palomino's 'B' sample has returned a positive test for a banned substance, Italy's anti-doping organisation said on Friday.

The 32-year-old Argentine was provisionally suspended by Italian authorities last month after he tested positive for a metabolite of clostebol, a steroid on the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) banned list found in some medications.

The Bergamo-based club said Palomino would request the full analytical documentation of his samples. The process conducted in Rome on Thursday confirmed the result found in the initial analysis, NADO Italia said in a statement.

Atalanta did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. They had previously said during investigations that they firmly believed the player's non-involvement in the affair could be proved.

Palomino, who joined Atalanta from Bulgarian side Ludogorets in 2017, has made 202 appearances for them in all competitions.

Atalanta will kick off their Serie A campaign on Saturday at Sampdoria after finishing eighth in the table last season.