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Tennis World Reels After Another Star Accused of Doping

El español Rafael Nadal festeja tras ganar un punto frente a su compatriota Nicolás Almagro en el Abierto de Río de Janeiro, el jueves 18 de febrero de 2016 (AP Foto/Silvia Izquierdo)

Real Madrid has joined the defense of Rafael 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.”

14-time Grand Slam winner Rafael Nadal said tennis star Maria Sharapova must “pay for” her doping violations. A few days later, he was accused of using performance enhancing drugs as well. Photo: Associated Press/Ivan Fernandez

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.”

Former French Minister for Health and Sport Roselyne Bachelot told French television on Thursday that Nadal’s seven-month injury hiatus in 2012 was “probably due to a positive doping test.”

The Spanish Olympic Committee has responded with a statement saying Nadal “has been submitted to innumerable anti-doping controls that he has always passed throughout his long career.”

Miguel Cardenal, the president of Spain’s Higher Sports Council, calls Bachelot’s accusations “slander of one of the most important athletes in history.”

Nadal’s coach and uncle, Toni Nadal, called Bachelot “an imbecile,” according to Spanish media.

Nadal is a prominent fan of Madrid and a “member of honor” of Real Madrid.

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