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Football Leaks Claim Sergio Ramos Also Infringed Doping Regulations After Game In 2018

Football Leaks Claim Sergio Ramos Also Infringed Doping Regulations After Game In 2018

It happened after a La Liga game in April 2018.

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

In a remarkable set of claims by Football Leaks, Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has been accused of failing a drugs test ahead of the 2017 Champions League final.

In fact, the documents go on to reveal that Ramos reportedly infringed doping regulations again in 2018.

Documents claim that Ramos returned a positive sample containing traces of dexamethasone after the final in Cardiff, a cortisone preparation that has 'an anti-inflammatory effect in addition to relieving pain.'

It is worth noting that dexamethasone can also increase concentration and cognition, as reported by Der Spiegel, and can have a 'euphoric effect' on the user.

German outlet Der Spiegel reported on the news, saying:

"The deputy head of the Seibersdorf laboratory sent a report to the headquarters of the Union of European Football Associations, better known as UEFA, on the shores of Lake Geneva. The Austrians had analyzed the sample and found that it contained traces of dexamethasone, a cortisone preparation that has an anti-inflammatory effect in addition to relieving pain...

"The dexamethasone-case has never before been made public and the file remains behind lock-and-key at UEFA. No disciplinary action was taken, neither against the player nor against the team doctor from Real Madrid, despite all of the anomalies in the case.

"Indeed, the way in which UEFA swept the case under the rug shines a rather unflattering light on the anti-doping fight in top-level European football."

Ten months after that final against Juventus, the Spanish defender was found to have been in breach of anti-doping regulations after a La Liga match against Málaga on April 15th, 2018.

Ramos allegedly refused instructions from an anti-doping official after the 2-1 victory, and insisted on showering before providing a sample of urine as requested.

So why is showering a breach of anti-doping regulations?

The 32-year-old showering after the match breaches anti-doping regulations that are designed to prevent a player from manipulating the results of a urine sample.

Basically, he was told not to shower because it could influence a test sample but he did it anyway - giving an excuse that his teammates were waiting for him and they wanted to fly back to Madrid as soon as possible.

Ramos and Real Madrid's team doctor both voiced their displeasure and the Spaniard decided to shower anyway, despite warnings it could have serious consequences.

The Spanish anti-doping agency looked over the incident and come to the conclusion that Ramos' actions "did not establish any fact that would allow concluding that there was an act constituting an Anti-Doping violation."

Real Madrid have since released a statement, denying a report in the German publication Der Spiegel claiming Sergio Ramos failed a doping test after the 2017 Champions League Final.

"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.

"2. UEFA requested timely information and closed the matter immediately, as is usual in 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 aforementioned publication, the club does not pronounce itself before the evidence of its insubstantial nature."

Thoughts on the above leaks?

Let us know in the comments.

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Topics: Football News, Sergio Ramos, Football, Real Madrid