Spanish football giants Real Madrid FC have come out in support of tennis player Rafael Nadal after the Spaniard was wrongly accused of failing a drug test by former French minister for health and sports Roselyne Bachelot on Friday.
The former minister had earlier questioned Nadal's seven-month absence period in 2012, saying it was "probably due to a positive doping test". The Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) had immediately come out in favour of the 29-year old, calling the ex-minister's statement as ‘unfortunate and unjustified’.
La Liga side Real Madrid, of which Nadal is an honorary member, has issued an official statement backing the 14-time Grand Slam champion and said that Nadal represented the fundamental values of sport. They also described him as the greatest sportsmen of all time.
Nadal is a very prominent fan of Madrid and is often seen supporting the club when they play matches at home. In addition to Real Madrid, the Spaniard also received support from Spain’s team manager Vicente del Bosque and Barcelona coach Luis Enrique, who have all denied Nadal of being involved in such wrongdoings.
Real coach Zinedine Zidane also voiced his opinion on the matter stating that the Spaniard was a true professional and a gentleman. "I feel bad for Rafa Nadal because he is a gentleman, a person that has shown the values he has and that everyone loves. He is a professional and I know him a little. I feel bad for what they have said,” he expressed.
The club’s official statement reads:
Real Madrid C.F. would like to express their full support to our honorary member, Rafa Nadal, undoubtedly one of the greatest sportsmen of all time in Spain and in the world.Rafa Nadal represents the fundamental values of sport. His greatness and his incredible achievements have always been based upon a foundation of exemplary conduct, unwavering work, talent and astonishing levels of commitment.This being the case, our institution considers the attacks made on his person by former minister Roselyne Bachelot to be unjustifiable and unacceptable. Real Madrid C.F. consider the close ties to an idol such as Nadal to be an honour, such is his status as a symbol sporting excellence. Nadal is admired and adored by millions of fans the world over, and today our club is standing firmly by his side.
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