Real Sociedad have released a statement denying any links to doping activity or malpractice, as alleged by former President Inaki Badiola.
Badiola, who served at Anoeta for most of the calendar year of 2008, stated on Monday that he believed the club were, from 2002-2008, sanctioning the purchase of medicines and products on the black market that were prohibited for use in football.
Following on from LFP President Jose Luis Astiazaran’s own denial, having been President at La Real from 2001-2005 and named by Badiola, the club have also made clear their position.
Real Sociedad released a statement on Monday evening expressing that when the current board took control from Badiola in 2008, they were ‘immersed in bankruptcy proceedings and therefore operated under administrative justice control’.
“Therefore, all information of an economic nature was received under the corresponding control of the judicial institution,” read the statement from the club. “This information does not derive the facts described by the media [on Monday].
“Since the current board assumed responsibility for managing the club, they can ensure that there has been no malpractice.”
Real also made clear that no-one linked to the club has been called up by investigators looking at Dr Eufemiano Fuentes, who is currently on trial for doping offences and who Badiola suggested was linked to the Basque outfit, supplying club doctors with doping materials.
“Real consider it lamentable that, after passing through the bankruptcy process, having achieved promotion to the Primera Division and having reached economic and sporting stability, that the club is involved in a series of reports affecting its good name.”
