Portugal's Vasco Ribeiro was not allowed to compete in the QS in Morocco that started today, he said on social media today. He says the WSL had told him to do so but he was "pressured by the ISA."

“It was with great surprise and disappointment that I received the news that, despite having formal confirmation from the World Surf League (WSL) that I could compete again, I was prevented from competing at the Pro Taghazout Bay just hours before the start of the event,” Ribeiro said.

He added: “The WSL, as an independent entity from the International Surfing Association (ISA), had assured that it would be able to participate in this event. However, in a last-minute decision and with no possibility of response, the WSL revised its position based on the information and pressure now presented by the ISA.”

He concluded: “At this stage, I always respect the decisions of the governing bodies and I meet all the conditions required for my return. Therefore, it is difficult to accept a sudden change of criteria without clear explanations and so few hours before the championship. This situation has a huge impact on my career and also on my personal life. All the preparation and dedication for this moment were suddenly called into question, which makes everything even more difficult to accept. Despite the frustration, I remain focused on the future and hope that everything will be resolved quickly. Thank you all for your unconditional support. We move forward!”

According to what had transpired in July 2024, Vasco's suspension was for three years, from 2023 to 2026.

On July 13, 2023, Ribeiro refused to take a drug test, which was worse than testing positive, as he later learned.

At the time, The Inertia reported that according to the ISA: "If the athlete can demonstrate that any ingestion or use occurred out-of-competition and was not related to sporting performance, then the period of ineligibility will be three months."

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