Tennis

Real Madrid backs Nadal after doping accusations from France

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:19 p.m. ET

foxsports

MADRID (AP) Real Madrid has joined the defense of Raphael 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 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 Madrid and a ''member of honor'' of the club.

The Spanish Olympic Committee, national team manager Vicente del Bosque and Barcelona coach Luis Enrique have also supported Nadal, who denies any wrongdoing.

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