Sergio Ramos denies doping after claims Real Madrid star failed test after Champions League final
Spanish star has released a statement to confirm that he has never breached any of the anti-doping regulations
Sponsored by
SERGIO Ramos has denied doping amid claims that he failed a drugs test after the 2017 Champions League final.
The Real Madrid star, 32, has released a statement to deny breaking any of the anti-doping regulations throughout his career.
It read: "In relation to the information published about me across a number of different media outlets, I would like to clarify the following.
"I am vehemently opposed to doping. I have never participated, nor will I ever participate in, nor have I consented to, nor I will ever consent to any form of doping."
It was reported that Ramos took two hours to provide a urine sample, which was found to contain the anti-inflammatory cortisone dexamethasone.
His statement continued: "The two specific cases referred to are explained as follows.
"1. Malaga, April 2018: When the matched ended, I was requested to complete an anti-doping test.
"Given the time pressures on the team's return journey, the official allowed me to shower, remaining in his presence at all times, before completing the test which I passed, as in all cases.
"2. Cardiff, June 2017: I received a standard medical treatment administered by the club's medical professionals.
"The matter was clarified and resolved formally and in writing between the organisations.
"Over the course of my long sporting career I have submitted to, and passed satisfactorily, an infinite number of anti-doping tests.
"Neither in this case, as UEFA and WAFA and Real Madrid have already stated, nor any other time in the past, have I breached the anti-doping regulations.
"With respect to the right to information, 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."
My view - Martin Lipton
THERE is nothing to suggest Sergio Ramos did anything wrong.
The onus was on the Real Madrid doctor to declare the cortisone treatment he had injected in the Spaniard’s shoulder and knee before the 2017 Champions League Final.
“Dr A” did admit he had injected an otherwise banned painkiller as well - just the WRONG drug.
It probably was, just as he said, “human error”, although you might have thought Real Madrid employees were used to the “euphoria” of big victories.
But rules are rules, especially anti-doping rules. They are there for a reason.
And while Uefa insist that everything was open and above board in not only shutting the case against Ramos but keeping it quiet, it doesn’t look clever.
How many other dodgy samples have been overlooked?
Why should we trust Uefa to investigate everybody, equally, if they do not follow the established procedures and at least haul Real over the coals?
It looks like one rule for the rich and famous, another for everybody else.
If these things are kept hush-hush, the suspicion will never go away.
The substance found in the test is on the World Anti-Doping Agency banned list and within two days Ramos and Real Madrid were both contacted by Uefa drug chiefs.
Under Wada rules, certain cortisones are allowed but they must be reported at the time of a test by the team doctor.
