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La Liga’s Unannounced Doping Checks Cause Major Disruption for Real Madrid Ahead of Champions League Clash

Xabi Alonso leading Real Madrid training session

Key Takeaways:

  • La Liga doping inspectors visited Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground this morning for random tests
  • Six players underwent surprise doping checks, resulting in a training session delay of over an hour
  • The timing of the tests, just before a Champions League fixture, drew strong reactions from the Real Madrid camp

Inspection Details and Immediate Impact

This morning, La Liga’s doping control officers carried out an unannounced visit to Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training facility, selecting six players by random draw for testing. As a direct consequence of the operation, the squad’s scheduled training was postponed, beginning nearly ninety minutes after its original 11 a.m. start time.

Reaction from Real Madrid

Sources connected to the club expressed suspicion regarding the timing of the tests, suggesting the decision was deliberate on La Liga’s part. While the league maintains the authority to conduct unannounced doping controls, Real Madrid expressed particular frustration that the exercise did not occur yesterday – a day when most of the squad only participated in light recovery work, with some players not training at all.

Timing Raises Tensions Ahead of European Fixture

The situation reportedly heightened nerves among the entire Los Blancos team and staff, as reported by Marca. The club fully cooperated with the visiting officials but formally requested clarification for why the testing operation took place on the eve of a critical Champions League match.

EventDetails
Testing DateThis morning
LocationReal Madrid Valdebebas Training Base
Players Tested6 (selected at random)
Training DelayAlmost 1.5 hours
Scheduled Training Start11:00 a.m. local time
Purpose of VisitRoutine unannounced doping control conducted by La Liga

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