Media coverage stings Cannavaro after Italy captain cleared of doping offence
ITALY captain Fabio Cannavaro has lashed out at the media after being cleared of wrongdoing in relation to a failed doping test.
The World Cup winner tested positive for cortisone after taking medication that contained the banned substance for a wasp sting. Cannavaro, 36, had requested an exemption from testing as a result of the emergency measure, but did not get it in time due to a mix-up over paperwork by his club Juventus.
But the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) yesterday dropped its case against him, prompting the former Real Madrid player to rail against his treatment in the media.
“It really annoys me,” said the veteran defender. “And in case you didn’t understand properly I’ll repeat that: it really annoys me. I have a clean conscience. Someone gets stung by a bee and finds themselves in the paper as if they were a drug user.
“When it happened I thought I was dreaming. Some newspapers and television stations really exaggerated. My career has been exemplary and I have always followed the rules.”