How Might Mexico Doping Scandal Affect Guillermo Ochoa's Move To PSG?

As we reported early this afternoon, 'Memo' Guillermo Ochoa is linked to a move to PSG. As we reported just a few minutes ago, Memo Ochoa is one of six Mexican national team players who have been removed from the Gold Cup (Copa Oro) squad for doping. It begs the question: How does this affect Ochoa's rumored transfer to Paris St. Germain?

There are a couple of schools of thought here. One, they don't want the negative publicity. It's quite possible that Ochoa's positive test for clenbuterol was 100 percent accidental, and that he will be cleared of any wrongdoing within the next couple of months. However, Gregory Coupet has retired and PSG are going to want a new goalkeeper to play through the entirety of their pre-season training camp. They can't wait until August to bring in a goalkeeper. If they don't want the negative publicity they would get for signing Ochoa, they're not going to wait until he's cleared. They're just going to sign someone else.

But what about the other school of thought? There are silver linings present for most bad events, and this is no different. Ochoa being banned from the national team actually benefits PSG from a purely football standpoint, not taking into account any negative PR or potential psychological problems. If Ochoa doesn't risk injury and fatigue by traveling and playing with Mexico, this is obviously beneficial to any club Ochoa might play for in Europe.

At this point, the court of public opinion appears to be in favor if forgiving the players of any wrongdoing. Most of the public seems to believe that it was either a complete accident or a setup. If no one thinks Ochoa is actually a doper, what does PSG have to lose by signing him? If they already had a contract offer on the table, it's hard to believe that this incident would cause them to retract it.