Real, Zidane defend Nadal over claims
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REAL Madrid has joined the defense of Rafael Nadal after doping accusations made by a former French minister.
The Spanish soccer giant expressed its “total support” for the 14-time grand slam winner in a statement on Saturday which called the accusations by former French minister for health and sport Roselyne Bachelot “unjustifiable and intolerable”.
Bachelot claimed on French television on Thursday that the Spaniard’s seven-month injury hiatus in 2012 was “probably due to a positive doping test”.
Nadal is a prominent fan of Real and a “member of honor” of the club.
Real manager Zinedine Zidane also backed Nadal.
“I feel bad for what is being said,” the former France great said. “Everyone who likes sports likes Nadal, whether you are French, American, he is spectacular.”
The Spanish Olympic Committee, national team manager Vicente del Bosque and Barcelona coach Luis Enrique have also supported Nadal, who denies any wrongdoing.
The Spaniard said it was unfathomable that someone would accuse him of using a false injury to try and escape the wrath of the tennis’ anti-doping officials.
“Me?,” he asked. “You can ask the ITF (International Tennis Federation), you can ask WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency), you can ask everybody.”
Nadal said he wants “justice” — his name cleared and for people to stop pointing fingers at him.
Nadal’s comments come in the wake of former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova’s failed a drug test at the Australian Open which she revealed last Monday.
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