Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos 'failed drug test' after Champions League final
REAL MADRID captain Sergio Ramos reportedly failed a drugs test after the 2017 Champions League final, according to Football Leaks outlet Der Spiegel.
Posted Saturday, November 24, 2018 by Dailystar.co.uk
Ramos played the entirety of the final, which finished 4-1 to Real Madrid against Juventus in Cardiff.
The Spaniard, along with his Real Madrid team-mates, was tested by anti-doping authorities after the clash and one month later the deputy head of the Seibersdorf doping laboratory sent a report of their findings to the headquarters of UEFA, according to Der Spiegel.
The publication claims Ramos' urine sample contained traces of dexamethasone, a cortisone preparation that has an anti-inflammatory effect to help relieve pain.
The drug can also increase concentration and result in a euphoric feeling. The World Anti-Doping Agency prohibit athletes using the substance in competition.
Der Spiegel have revealed Ramos' test results were never made public by UEFA, who decided against taking disciplinary action against the player or Real Madrid themselves.
Instead, the footballing governing body swept the incident under the rug.
The damning report continues by claiming two days after Ramos' sample had been identified, a member of UEFA's anti-doping unit reached out to the defender for an explanation.
Ramos replied days later, issuing a brief statement which claimed a team doctor had treated him one day before the Juventus clash.
Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos reportedly failed a drugs test in 2017
Real Madrid beat Juventus 4-1 in Cardiff
All other details could be found in the doctor's report, added Ramos, before he concluded the response by saying: "I hope this fully clarifies the situation."
A form filled out by doping testers revealed Ramos had in fact received an 'intra-articular injection' the day before the Champions League final - but did not mention anything about dexamethasone.
However, it was reportedly noted the 32-year-old received 1.2mm of Celestone Chronodose, which is an anti-inflammatory, in both his shoulder and knee.
Celestone Chronodose is also listed on WADA's list of banned substances.
Ramos is said to entered the doping control station in Cardiff at 10.38pm, minutes after his side had finished celebrating their Champions League triumph.
Real Madrid star Sergio Ramos before he was drug tested after the final
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos celebrates his win minutes before being drug tested
The player left the centre after midnight, along with the team doctor 'Dr. A', according to a UEFA report.
Following the discovery of dexamethasone, the team doctor reportedly took on the role of the 'scapegoat', insisting it was his fault and not Ramos' that the test had flagged up a banned substance.
He claimed that Ramos was only given injections on June 2 because of the 'chronic pathologies' he suffers in his left knee and shoulder.
And Dr A. suggested a mix-up by himself was the reason for the banned substance being injected into the Madrid star.
With that, UEFA were supposedly happy to close the case - writing: "In the future, we ask you and your team doctor to be utmost cautious, when completing the doping control form and more precisely the declaration of medication."
Real Madrid's doctor took the blame for Sergio Ramos' failed drug test
In a statement this evening, Real Madrid defended Ramos and hit out at Der Spiegel.
"In relation to the information published by Der Spiegel referring to our captain Sergio Ramos, the club states the following: 1. Sergio Ramos has never breached the anti-doping control regulations," it read.
"2. UEFa requested timely information and closed the matter immediatedly, as is usual with these cases, after verification by the experts themselves of the World Anti-Doping Agency, AMA and of UEFA itself.
"3. Regarding the rest of the content of the aforementoned publication, the club does not pronounce itself before the evidence of its insubstantial nature."
Ex-Real Madrid man Cristiano Ronaldo is also implicated in the Football Leaks piece
Football Leaks claim this is not the only time Real Madrid pushed their luck when it came to drug testing.
Cristiano Ronaldo is said to have been 'dissatisfied' at how often he was chosen for random testing while at the Spanish club.
The report claims earlier in the year, while Ronaldo and Toni Kroos were being tested randomly, Madrid officials 'suddenly turned up' and inserted needles for tests on the remaining eight players.
"There are clear rules and guidelines for unannounced tests. Teams must guarantee that the doping control officers are able to do their jobs independently and with no interference. Furthermore, players do not have a say in who accompanies them to the restroom for a urine sample or who draws their blood. Doping control officers may insert a needle three times on the search for a vein," according to Football Leaks.
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