Doping in Football

by rwo power Wed Jan 30, 2013 10:47 am

Now that Eufemiano Fuentes' trial has commenced, he was asked about what kinds of athletes he "advised". While his connections with cyclists are widely published, he also listed that athletes (no names though!) from football, track and field, swimming and Tennis, who also used his "counsel".

Interestingly, it seems that the court trial will only focus on the cyclists, though. It is not known (yet?) whether there will be further investigations in the other sports. One is left to wonder whether the Spanish justice was "asked" to keep silent about any doping allegations other than the already widely known doping in cycling.

Among the sources collected by derwesten.de, there was one statement via Le Monde according to which Fuentes didn’t say a word in court about possible connections with football clubs/players because "I got death threats three times. There will be no fourth time," he told Le Monde at the time.

So it seems there are people exerting quite some pressure to brush any connections of doping and football under the carpet.

Interesting source: http://fussballdoping.derwesten-recherche.org/en/2013/01/fuentes-connections-to-football/

(WAZ/NRZ - derwesten.de - are two interconnected and pretty respectable German newspapers, and the website I stumbled upon there seems to be a research page where they try to collect information to put together an article on football related doping)

Another source: http://www.dw.de/the-fuentes-doping-scandal/a-16550737 (DW - Deutsche Welle - is also a rather respected source and not a sensationalist tabloid ^^)

by worms Wed Jan 30, 2013 10:58 am

by rwo power Wed Jan 30, 2013 12:03 pm

@worms

If you don't have anything to say, you don't have to post, otherwise this is considered spam.

The trial of Eufemiano Fuentes started this week, hence the topic is current again, even though the actions leading to the trial were committed several years ago. The defendants could face 2 years in prison if they are found guilty plus a two-year professional ban.

by Sri Wed Jan 30, 2013 12:19 pm

Great thread rwo!

I am interested in what comes out of this research from Der Westen. Would be interesting in any case.

At the front of it, 'death threats' seem like empty words from a boy trying to scream wolf. However, this could be potentially shocking.

Also, thanks for the link. Have bookmarked it and will try to follow.

by worms Wed Jan 30, 2013 1:22 pm

Ok but I can see were this thread is going,some guy on here just the other week was saying Barca and Spain have been so dominant because they have been doping.These slanderous accusations shouldn't be allowed imo.If somebody wants to say that there is probably doping going on in football I agree,to some extent it's bound to happen due to how much money is involved.But accusing players and teams without even the tiniest bit of evidence is not on,people doing this are opening themselves up to possible lawsuits by the players and clubs they accuse,even though there is only a very slight chance of that happening,due to them not reading it and even if they do they probably don't care what some nobody on here thinks and wouldn't bother suing as it wouldn't be worth the cost of legal action.Just saying you have to be careful.

by Harmonica Wed Jan 30, 2013 1:26 pm

Oh the irony in Germans talking about doping, supposed doping. Laughing

by Eivindo Wed Jan 30, 2013 2:45 pm

how serious are the drug tests on footballers in the CL before/after matches? Anyone care to fill in?

by Lord Spencer Wed Jan 30, 2013 5:18 pm

The problem with current tests in all sports is that they can't catch everything the sporstman took. Some drugs easily escape those tests.

by Swanhends Wed Jan 30, 2013 6:41 pm

The master plan to take down Spain once and for all is finally underway Twisted Evil

by BarrileteCosmico Wed Jan 30, 2013 6:46 pm

Barca to get demoted to Segunda, Spain to be taken its awards from 08 onwards back hmm

by rwo power Wed Jan 30, 2013 7:23 pm

Harmonica wrote:Oh the irony in Germans talking about doping, supposed doping.

Well, at least here we try to get the stuff at the light. As a matter of fact, I'm really annoyed that Jan Ullrich seems to get away scot free.

As for the 1954 football NT that you probably allege too, in that time neither drug testing was thought of nor the fact that there might be negative side effects (IIRC there were at least two or three of the players who died of liver afflictions in comparatively young years).

And if you want to talk about the GDR doping programs in *all* sports - well they were just as organized as a couple of other states from behind the iron curtain. But again, in Germany we are at least now trying to dig out what happened, who were the culprits and take action. That not everything is perfect is another problem. But just closing the eyes from the problem is not exactly wise.

And especially in football, there seem to be people in power who want to put the stuff under the carpet very strongly, obviously due to the money that is currently involved in football marketing.

by Be/\/ceCALI Wed Jan 30, 2013 7:38 pm

rwo power wrote:
Harmonica wrote:Oh the irony in Germans talking about doping, supposed doping.
Well, at least here we try to get the stuff at the light. As a matter of fact, I'm really annoyed that Jan Ullrich seems to get away scot free.

As for the 1954 football NT that you probably allege too, in that time neither drug testing was thought of nor the fact that there might be negative side effects (IIRC there were at least two or three of the players who died of liver afflictions in comparatively young years).

you're right, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen bounce

by rwo power Wed Jan 30, 2013 7:50 pm

Be/\/ceCALI wrote:
rwo power wrote:As for the 1954 football NT that you probably allege too, in that time neither drug testing was thought of nor the fact that there might be negative side effects (IIRC there were at least two or three of the players who died of liver afflictions in comparatively young years).

you're right, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen

Sure. But in that case the proof is really hard to find as there were neither blood nor urine tests, and the players allegedly were told they'd "get vitamins". I'm not condoning what was possibly done, but in that case it is virtually impossible to come up with hard facts as many of the people in question are even already dead by now.

The current problems are much bigger because by now doping is definitely forbidden and testing for the drugs has become better. But no matter the testing, there seem to be quite some people in positions of power that actively sabotage the doping monitoring, i.e. Lance Armstrong claimed that officials let test results disappear etc.

And in the Fuentes case, I find it intriguing that the judge allegedly doesn't want to publish the data of non-cyclist athletes even though they do have the hard disks and the information. I wonder if FIFA/UEFA/other officials put up pressure to leave out the football players that according to Fuentes were among the people who went for "advice" from him.

by S Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:50 pm

Real Sociedad bought banned substances, claims ex-president

Former Real Sociedad president Inaki Badiola claims the Basque club bought banned substances during a six-year period between 2001 and 2007.

Badiola, who was in charge at the San Sebastian club between January and December of 2008, told the AS newspaper he uncovered payments for "doping products".

"In 2008, our board reported that in the previous six seasons, at least, the board had given [staff] money to buy medicines or products that, at that moment, were catalogued as doping products," the 48-year-old explained to AS.

Badiola claims he has two files with evidence of these transactions and an e-mail requesting payment for doping products, which he says was declined.

"They acquired substances which were not authorised. In fact, there is an e-mail which names some of the products they wanted to buy - and we did not authorise it. They are practices which should never have taken place."

Sociedad declined to comment on Monday, but LFP president Jose Luis Astiazaran (who was in charge of the Basque outfit between 2001 and 2005) released an official statement in which he denied any wrongdoing during his time at the club.

He stated: "During the period of my mandate as president of Real Sociedad, I never had any knowledge or suspicion that any illegal practices were being carried out with regard to the medical services, who always worked with the maximum ethics and professionalism."

Astiazaran also called Badiola's claims "totally false" and revealed he is considering legal action against the former Sociedad chief.

The allegations emerged as Spanish doctor Eufemiano Fuentes remains under the spotlight in the ongoing Operacion Puerto doping investigation. In court last week, Fuentes offered to reveal the identity of the 200 blood bags uncovered in raids on his premises in 2006 which, he said, included cyclists, boxers and footballers, but the judge declined to follow up.

The Basques narrowly missed out on winning La Liga in 2002-03, finishing second behind Real Madrid.

by sportsczy Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:55 pm

There's plenty of doping in every league. You look at R9's development at Barca or Del Piero at Juve or etc. Today, most of it is done to recover from injuries and fatigue quicker. I think it's happened and probably happening at every club.

The issue is whether the club is aware and/or encouraging it or are the players doing it on their own. To me, this is the fundamental question.

by jibers Mon Feb 04, 2013 4:28 pm

Agreed sports. I think the clubs are aware. No surprise all the clubs are starting to get their own private clinics. Juve have already been caught and Ajax even tried getting their 1996 Champions league win rescinded. I am sure Barcelona dope. I am 100% sure United dope. Everyone does it. too much money in the game for them to start revealing the culprits.

by S Tue Feb 05, 2013 5:47 pm

'Milan' linked to alleged doping case

'Milan' have been linked with a document in the investigation into alleged doping in sport, according to reports.

Gazzetta dello Sport have revealed that the name has appeared in a manuscript from Dr. Eufemiano Fuentes, who is currently on trial in Spain for crimes against public health.

The doctor is alleged to have participated in the doping of several sporting stars, including former Tour de France winner Alberto Contador.

But a document published today by Spanish newspaper AS has shown that the word 'Milan' as well as 'Rsoc' and 'Alberto' were atop a piece of paper seized by authorities.

'Milan' could well refer to the city or the first name of several players around the world.

Reports in Spain earlier last week from former Real Sociedad President Inaki Badiola, claimed that club doctors had allegedly been involved with Dr. Fuentes.

by S Tue Feb 05, 2013 6:39 pm

Spain rocked by doping claims

Spanish football is reeling from doping allegations which have implicated the top levels of its administration.

Inaki Badiola, the former president of Real Sociedad, admitted the club paid around $423,000 a year to Eufemiano Fuentes, the doctor on trial for doping in professional cycling, among other sports.

A Telegraph report details footage of Badiola, who was president at Real Sociedad in 2008 and 2009, talking about the payments, as well as revealing his administration sacked two doctors after an internal investigation found players had been involved in a doping program for six years prior to his arrival.

Badiola implicated previous presidents at the club, including Jose Luis Astiazaran, who is now the president of the Spanish Primera Division’s governing body. Astiazaran denied any involvement on Monday.

Spanish sport has been under the spotlight since Fuentes was arrested as part of Operation Puerto in 2006, although he has been denied permission to reveal the names of any clients outside cycling, during his trial.

After Fuentes’s arrest seven years ago, police seized 186 bags of blood belonging to professional athletes from his Madrid-based clinic.

In an interview with Spanish website AS.com, Badiola claimed Fuentes was involved with Real Sociedad in 2002-2003, when it finished second in the Primera Division.

“$364,000 has been spent annually during a number of years in payment to Eufemiano Fuentes, undeclared. Including the year La Real finished second,” Badiola said.

“Eufemiano Fuentes, from Operation Puerto, was the man who provided the medicine. We’ve been buying strange medicines for $442,000 per year.

“Real Sociedad acquired medicines for $425,000 that were not listed in the accounts. This means there is another type of accounting at practice here. There is no supporting documentation, no bills or delivery details that can be identified.

“We know what types of medicine they are and we won’t get involved in what they were or weren’t used for.

“We know of the entries in the other accounts, the days payments were made and the people who were paid.”

Badiola said he found payments for mysterious medicines when he took over the club and audited the accounts. Doctors Eduardo Escobar and Antxon Gorrotxategi were sacked, but there was no investigation of players.

“They acquired substances which were not authorised,” Badiola said. “In my years, 2008 and 2009, there were no strange medical practices. We did an audit of the previous six years.

“We have not gone against the players and we do not know if all were subjected to such practices. No names were mentioned. Our investigation was directed against the physicians. I think in football, doping may not be as necessary as, for example, in cycling.

“The system is poorly regulated, there is a failure and doping is way ahead, with doctors who can cover it up perfectly. There are urine tests which do not seek EPO, which denotes a neglect and an unwillingness to clean up this sport.”

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1139708/Spain-rocked-by-doping-claims

by McAgger Tue Feb 05, 2013 8:47 pm

Goddamn Liverpool have to start doping ffs. No wonder we can't win shite.

by Pedram Tue Feb 05, 2013 11:05 pm

Messiah "Aggerswagger" wrote:Goddamn Liverpool have to start doping ffs. No wonder we can't win shite.

by Lupi Tue Feb 05, 2013 11:31 pm

by fatman123 Wed Feb 06, 2013 10:42 am

Theres been something about doping in AFL throughtout the last few weeks, is this the same guy?

by marottalad Wed Feb 06, 2013 12:34 pm

fatman123 wrote:Theres been something about doping in AFL throughtout the last few weeks, is this the same guy?

i am mates with 1 of the essendon players and he said their is nothing to worry about.

by Zealous Wed Feb 06, 2013 1:13 pm

BarrileteCosmico wrote:Barca to get demoted to Segunda, Spain to be taken its awards from 08 onwards back

Messi gets Lance Armstrong'd hmm

by BarrileteCosmico Wed Feb 06, 2013 5:26 pm

AS today published that Alonso was taken off the Spanish list not because of an actual injury confirmed by the doctors or the player himself, but because a Real Madrid official told the RFEF that the player is "tired" and later alluded to a pubic injury, which was never confirmed. AS speculates that this obvious breach of protocol might be enabled because Alonso is the only player in the national team to have been at Real Sociedad during that time.

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