Sergio Ramos denies doping allegations: 'Not afraid of lies'

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos vehemently defended himself against accusations he failed a doping test after his side's victorious Champions League final in 2017.

Claims from Football Leaks suggested a urine sample from the Spanish defender had tested positive for dexamethasone, an anti-inflammatory pain reliever which is permitted before matches under WADA rules as long as team doctors disclose its use. It's alleged that didn't happen in this case.

Real released a statement on Friday insisting that Ramos has never violated anti-doping rules, and the 32-year-old has now commented on the matter for the first time.

"That is a very difficult issue, complicated," he said, according to ESPN's Dermot Corrigan. "I must come out and defend myself against these allegations, in the best way possible, with my legal team.

"I have been through 250 or 300 doping tests over my career, and never failed one, there has never been any irregularity. Those who must speak and put the papers on the table say there was no irregularity on my part, so I am very relaxed about it."

Los Blancos explained the failed test was the result of Ramos' doctor making a human, administrative error, a statement UEFA has officially accepted.

After stating his innocence, Ramos then called into question the veracity of Der Spiegel, the German publication that released the Football Leaks information.

"We know the type of publication this is," he said. "They threatened us with the news a month and a half ago. When you know the truth, you are not afraid of lies. We knew it was coming out, sooner or later.

"We are happier now to leave it behind us. But it is an attempt to stain my image and my professional reputation. Each of us must accept the consequences for their actions."

Ramos played the entire 90 minutes at center-back as Real crashed 3-0 at Eibar on Saturday, the capital club's fifth La Liga defeat of the season.