Last updated on .From the section European Football

Fred played in Brazil's opening two fixtures at this summer's Copa America in Chile

Brazil midfielder Fred tested positive for a banned diuretic at the recent Copa America in Chile, the Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed.

The 22-year-old Shakhtar Donetsk player has denied using the substance hydrochlorothiazide.

"I trust in my innocence and I am going to prove it to the proper authorities," he said in a statement.

Earlier, Fenerbahce protested to Uefa after Shakhtar played Fred during Tuesday's Champions League qualifier.

European football's governing body confirmed it is investigating the third qualifying round first-leg tie, which finished 0-0.

Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu admitted Uefa had advised him not to play Fred.

The player faces a ban should a second sample confirm the reported findings of the first test.

Uefa's letter in response to Fenerbahce's protest

"Before the game, Uefa advised us not to include him but we had not received any official documents and this was just a verbal recommendation," Lucescu said.

"There is no specific statement on this matter for now and we are still waiting for the results of the B sample.

"I have talked to the team and the player personally. When the official decision arrives, of course, we will stick to it."

Shakhtar host Fenerbahce in the second leg of their tie on 5 August with the winners advancing to the Champions League play-off round for a place in the group stage.

Uefa's control, ethics and disciplinary body will decide the outcome of the protest on 3 August.

Called up for the injured Luiz Gustavo, Fred played in Brazil's opening two fixtures at the Copa America but was dropped for the final group game against Venezuela and quarter-final defeat by Paraguay.