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Cristiano Ronaldo accused of disrupting Uefa drugs test during time at Real Madrid

It’s alleged that the player's remonstrations during an unannounced doping test last year saw Real Madrid's medical personnel intervene

Samuel Lovett
Friday 23 November 2018 20:22 GMT
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Uefa’s doping officers reportedly lost control of proceedings as Ronaldo complained 'that he was always selected' for testing
Uefa’s doping officers reportedly lost control of proceedings as Ronaldo complained 'that he was always selected' for testing

Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly disrupted a surprise drugs test during his time at Real Madrid, with his remonstrations forcing two doping officers from Uefa to step aside for the club’s doctors in what has been described as an “exceptional” case.

In February of last year, four months prior to the Champions League final, two doping control officers from Uefa made an unannounced visit to the Bernabeu with the intention of testing 10 players, including Ronaldo.

But according to allegations made in a report by Der Spiegel, Uefa’s workers lost control of proceedings as the Portuguese complained “that he was always selected” for testing.

It’s alleged that the player “showed his dissatisfaction” as Uefa’s testers attempted to take his blood. This “caused a lot of tension in the doping control station,” according to a Uefa report seen by Der Spiegel.

After Ronaldo’s blood was eventually taken, alongside Toni Kroos’, Real Madrid’s medical personnel subsequently intervened and tested the remaining eight players. Uefa’s report apparently says that its doping controllers “accepted it exceptionally” due “to the situation of tension”.

Uefa allegedly demanded feedback from Real Madrid but were handed an unclear response in which the two Uefa testers were accused of inadequacy.

Der Spiegel further alleges that Real Madrid’s general director, Jose Angel Sanchez, blamed the controllers for their lack of “professional capability, skill or expertise”.

The Independent has approached Real Madrid for comment and is currently awaiting a response.

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