Roberto Carlos has vehemently denied doping allegations that appeared in a documentary on German television network ARD.
In an investigation into doping control problems in Brazilian sports, ARD spoke to Dr. Julio Cesar Alves, who said he had been treating Carlos, among other players, since he was 15 years old.
The doctor is accused of illegal practices with athletes and did not know he was being recorded when claiming he had developed Carlos, stating he bulked up his thighs. The report also quoted another patient who said he saw the former Real Madrid and Brazil left-back at Alves’ practice.
ARD also showed that Carlos’ name appears in a dossier that was handed to the Sao Paulo prosecutor’s office by the Brazilian anti-doping agency.
The 2002 World Cup winner stated the accusations are baseless and will take legal action.
“I strongly reject the irresponsible accusations made by ARD, and I reaffirm that I have never used any substance to allow me to take advantage of my colleagues,” a Facebook post from the 44-year-old read.
“The report quotes the name of a doctor that I have never known in my life, and my lawyers have been called to challenge the false allegations and request that they prove, before a judge and publicly, the accusations.
“At the same time, the story states in an extremely vague way that I was seen in the doctor’s office in July 2002, when I returned to the country after the World Cup with Brazil. I went to Brasilia to participate in the awards ceremonies and, soon after, I returned to Madrid, without any passage through Piracicaba. In addition, the report does not produce any evidence of my alleged involvement in the case.
“Throughout my career, I have always advocated fair play above all. The false accusations against me are completely contrary to this thought. In more than 20 years of my career I have never tested positive for any substances that would change my performance.
“I worked professionally for nine teams in Brazil, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Russia and India, and for the Brazil national team. I competed in the most diverse leagues on the planet, including World Cups, where use of any prohibited substance would have been promptly detected.”
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