Sergio Ramos escaped punishment for violating doping test protocol.
It has been alleged that the Spanish Anti-Doping Agency (CELAD) carried out inappropriate tests over a five-year period between 2017 and 2022, and that on other occasions it acted deliberately to avoid opening investigations or to sanction positive controls.
Today, new information has emerged about these embezzlements, as Relevo reports. Sergio Ramos had to undergo a doping test after a match against Malaga in April 2018, while playing for Real Madrid. Ramos and Madrid doctor Julio de la Morena refused to do the test until the player had a chance to shower.
Athletes are required to provide samples immediately after competition, and refusal to do so, to follow the agent’s instructions, or to behave in a manner that might interfere with testing is, generally, treated as if the athlete had tested positive. The report goes on to explain that Der Spiegel previously reported this information, but can now reveal why the matter did not result in an investigation or punishment for Ramos.
The current Sevilla and Morena player came forward as part of the required follow-up process, but the investigation was dropped. As was customary at the time, the test was carried out by only one agent, instead of two, making it a void test. Two people were present, but the second was not an agent, but the agent’s father. It should be noted that it is not suggested that Ramos tested positive, just that he broke the rules.
