Skip to main content

Murray condemns 'cover up' in Operation Puerto doping case

May 1, 2013 -- Updated 1943 GMT (0343 HKT)
Andy Murray has voiced his disapproval of the court ruling in the Operation Fuentes doping trial in Spain.
Andy Murray has voiced his disapproval of the court ruling in the Operation Fuentes doping trial in Spain.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Andy Murray condemns outcome of Operation Puerto doping trial
  • U.S. Open tennis champion calls it "biggest cover up in sports history" on Twitter
  • IOC and WADA also express their disappointment at ruling by Spanish judge
  • 200 bags of blood and plasma prepared for drugs cheats set to be destroyed

(CNN) -- U.S. Open tennis champion Andy Murray has condemned the handling of the Operation Puerto doping trial by the Spanish authorities, accusing them of the "biggest cover up in sports history."

A criminal trial in Spain concluded Tuesday with sports doctor Eufemiano Fuentes given a one-year jail term for supplying cyclists with blood transfusions to boost their performance.

But the judge hearing the case, Julia Patricia Santamaria, ordered that over 200 bags of blood and plasma seized from Fuentes, be destroyed, pending any appeals.

Murray, an outspoken critic of doping, used his Twitter blog to express his frustration.

Federer: Do more drug testing
Andy Murray's summer of success

"Puerto case is beyond a joke... biggest cover up in sports history?," he tweeted

"Why would court order blood bags to be destroyed? #coverup."

Read: Tipsarevic believes tennis is 'clean'

During his trial, Fuentes gave evidence that he had clients from other sports, including tennis, football, boxing and athletics, but did not identify them.

At the time of his arrest and the raids on his premises in 2006, doping was not a criminal offense in Spain, but he was found guilty of endangering public health.

He was also barred from practicing as a sports doctor for four years, but under the Spanish legal system his jail term will be suspended.

The World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) also expressed its disagreement with the court decision Wednesday.

"The decision to order the destruction of all the blood bags is particularly disappointing and unsatisfactory for WADA, and the whole anti-doping community," it said in a statement.

"Access to this evidence motivated WADA's involvement in this case. This would ensure appropriate sports sanction processes against the cheats who used Dr Fuentes' services."

WADA said it was reviewing its next course of action in conjunction with the Spanish National Anti-Doping Organization (AEA).

Read: Federer: Tennis must work hard on doping

The deadline to appeal the court decision is May 17

The International Olympic Committee signaled its frustration with the court ruling Wednesday.

"It's unfortunate that the evidence used in this proceeding is not now being made available to anti-doping organizations to further the fight against doping," it said in a statement.

British No.1 Murray went public in February with his demand for more blood testing in tennis, saying it needed to do everything it could "to ensure that everyone competing at the highest level and below is clean."

He was joined by fellow grand slam winners Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in demanding stricter tests and in March the International Tennis Federation announced it would be introducing a Biological Passport program - a more stringent control against doping.

ADVERTISEMENT
Part of complete coverage on
CNN's Will Edmonds says Serena Williams can match Steffi Graf's record haul of 22 grand slam titles following her U.S. Open triumph.
September 9, 2013 -- Updated 1224 GMT (2024 HKT)
Two years after losing part of her lung during a blood clot operation, U.S. Open champion Serena Williams insists playing tennis "is just fun now."
September 4, 2013 -- Updated 1130 GMT (1930 HKT)
Her doubles playing dad is the sporting star of the family, but Micaela Bryan's Twitter page is making the toddler a viral sensation.
Roger Federer is now in danger of diminishing his incredible tennis legacy, says CNN's Will Edmonds.
August 27, 2013 -- Updated 1107 GMT (1907 HKT)
Tennis parents don't have the best of reputations. Think Damir Dokic, John Tomic and Jim Pierce. However, Andy Murray's Mum is very different.
August 15, 2013 -- Updated 1421 GMT (2221 HKT)
Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli won eight WTA Tour titles during her 13-year career.
Marion Bartoli has retired from tennis with immediate effect, just six weeks after winning her first grand slam title at Wimbledon.
August 28, 2013 -- Updated 0949 GMT (1749 HKT)
Pat Cash meets golfing great Jack Nicklaus who explains why the golf swing is very similar to the basics of tennis.
August 22, 2013 -- Updated 1218 GMT (2018 HKT)
Pedro Pinto meets reigning U.S. Open doubles champion Sara Errani, who advanced to the semifinals in singles last year.
August 30, 2013 -- Updated 1512 GMT (2312 HKT)
It's almost been 40 years since tennis legend Billie Jean King's historic Battle of the Sexes match. Mark McKay reports.
October 2, 2013 -- Updated 1443 GMT (2243 HKT)
Tennis legends Jim Courier and John McEnroe show us why Djokovic, Murray, Nadal and Federer are so tough.
August 22, 2013 -- Updated 1431 GMT (2231 HKT)
When the women's singles champion at the U.S. Open picks up her $2.6 million check, she should spare a moment to thank Billie Jean King.
August 1, 2013 -- Updated 1133 GMT (1933 HKT)
Former world No. 1 Martina Hingis made her long-awaited return to WTA action at the Southern California Open with victory in the doubles.
July 26, 2013 -- Updated 1427 GMT (2227 HKT)
Viktor Troicki believes he has been "treated like a criminal" after being hit with an 18-month ban for flouting doping regulations.
July 9, 2013 -- Updated 0957 GMT (1757 HKT)
You can be forgiven for losing track of time the morning after a night 77 years in the making.
The number seven will always have a special resonance for Andy Murray, says CNN's William Edmonds.
July 5, 2013 -- Updated 1127 GMT (1927 HKT)
The final game of one of the most memorable matches in Wimbledon history, featuring two fan favorites, took on a life of its own.
June 20, 2013 -- Updated 0954 GMT (1754 HKT)
When Andy Murray dedicated a tournament win to a friend, it revealed an unexpected personal side to one of the more guarded men in sport.
June 19, 2013 -- Updated 1844 GMT (0244 HKT)
Open Court sifts through the archive to bring you some of its favorite interviews from the past 3 years.
June 19, 2013 -- Updated 1835 GMT (0235 HKT)
Open Court's Pat Cash takes viewers for a behind the scenes tour of Wimbledon.
ADVERTISEMENT