Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos denies that he used performance enhancing substances after the latest Football Leaks report alleged he failed a post-match drug test after the 2017 Champions League final.
The Football Leaks report, published by Der Spiegel on Friday, alleges that Ramos failed a drugs test after the final, but Uefa covered the results up – Uefa have denied the allegations.
Ramos, 32, has also denied the claims, describing them as an attempt to tarnish his reputation. Speaking after Real Madrid lost 3-0 to Eibar, he said: “That is a very difficult issue, complicated. I must come out and defend myself, with my legal team, against these allegations.
“I have been through 250 or 300 doping tests over my career, and never failed one, there has never been any irregularity.
“We know the type of publication this is, Ramos added. “They threatened us with the news a month and a half ago.
“When you know the truth, you are not afraid of lies. It is an attempt to stain my image and my professional reputation.”
Comunicado oficial | Official Announcement pic.twitter.com/dYYFMWKjj3
— Sergio Ramos (@SergioRamos) November 24, 2018
Following that interview the defender released a statement on Twitter that reiterated his denial of the allegations. The statement read: “I am vehemently opposed to doping. I have never participated, nor will I ever participate in, nor have I ever consented to, nor will I ever consent to, any form of doping”
Ramos goes on to assert that over his career he has submitted to and passed “an infinite number” of anti-doping tests and has never breached anti-doping regulations.
Ramos added: “I must also uphold my right to honour. My legal team will consider taking further action in those cases which misrepresent the truth and therefore undermine my reputation and violate my rights.”
Did Sergio Ramos breach doping regulations? Five key things to know…
- Real Madrid took on Juventus in the 2017 Champions League final in Cardiff, with Ramos captaining the side in their 4-1 win.
- But now it has been alleged the Spaniard provided a urine sample post-match, as is the norm, which tested positive for dexamethasone, a steroid hormone which has an anti-inflammatory effect as well as relieving pain.
- Furthermore, the report claims Uefa kept the breach quiet and did not take any disciplinary action.
- However, Real Madrid have unequivocally denied these claims, insisting everything with the tests followed protocol before the case was closed.
- The 2017 final brought Sergio Ramos his third Champions League winners medal, which he followed up with another this summer.
Real Madrid have categorically denied the allegations. In a statement on the club’s website, Real Madrid said: “With regards to the reports published by Der Spiegel in relation to our captain, Sergio Ramos, the club wishes to express the following.
“Sergio Ramos has never breached anti-doping regulations.
“UEFA requested specific information and immediately closed the case referred to, as is customary in such instances, following tests carried out by experts from the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) and UEFA itself.”
Madrid lost their first game 3-0 to Eibar following the allegations in what is becoming a poor season for the La Liga giants.
What were the initial allegations against Sergio Ramos?
As reported by Der Spiegel, the World Anti-Doping Association does allow dexamethasone to be administered prior to matches, but it needs to be reported by the team doctor as part of a doping test.
Should the doctor fail to do so, and traces of dexamethasone be found in an athlete’s blood, it will be considered as a suspected case of doping – which is what reportedly happened with Ramos.
The report went on to claim, the doctor wrote down the wrong medication on the form attached to Ramos’ sample, which he would put down to a mistake due to the euphoria of Real Madrid winning the Champions League as well as presence of the former King of Spain in the doping area to visit Ramos.
As a result of the doctor owning up to the problems, it was reported Uefa were happy with his explanation and reasoning for the failure to document the use of dexamethasone and closed the case of Ramos.
The post Sergio Ramos denies breach of anti-doping rules after 2017 Champions League final appeared first on Squawka News.
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