Football clubs react to doping allegations

TWO Midlands football clubs have rejected allegations made in a Sunday newspaper that their players were involved in illegal doping activities.

Premier League leaders Leicester City and Championship side Birmingham City both issued statements after the allegations surfaced in the Sunday Times.

The newspaper claimed players from both teams, together with some from Arsenal and Chelsea, had been prescribed banned performance enhancing drugs by private doctor Mark Bonar.

An England cricket player, British cyclists and tennis players were also implicated in the report.

The report claimed Dr Bonar had been secretly filmed talking about the players he had prescribed drugs to. However, there is no independent evidence to back up the allegations about the players or that the clubs themselves were aware of what was happening.

Leicester City said it was “extremely disappointed” the newspaper had published the allegations about its players, especially when there was no supporting evidence.

The club is understandably keen to avoid any controversy surrounding itself or its players in what has been a remarkable season for the team.

The club currently leads the Premier League by seven points – just 12 months on from facing almost certain relegation from the top flight.

Birmingham City was just as vehement in its denials.

It said the club had never used Dr Bonar and had no knowledge of any of its current or former players doing so.

Following the report, the government has ordered an independent inquiry into the UK anti-doping watchdog Ukad.