French Federation Shocked at Noah’s Comments

Written by: Staff on 23rd November 2011

French Federation Shocked at Noah’s Comments

epa01701558 French tennis player Yannick Noah returns the ball to Swedish Mats Wilander during their show match at the Tennis Show 2009 in Bogota, Colombia, 18 April 2009. Wilander won 6-3 and 6-4. EPA/LEONARDO MUNOZ |

The French Tennis Federation (FFT) has distanced itself from the nation’s former star player and Davis Cup captain Yannick Noah and stressed a wish to express it’s disagreement with the comments made by the 1983 champion of Roland Garros, insisting there is a prevalent culture of drug taking in Spanish sport.

In a statement the FFT refuted Noah’s claims that the only way to uniformity would be to allow everyone to use banned drugs and maintained: “Against the plague of doping in sport, baseless accusations and provocative comments are inappropriate, and the worst attitude would be to give up.”

The FFT was firm in its stance, insisting: “The fight against doping is and will always remain” a priority.

Emilio Sanchez, the former ATP World Tour player and winner of three Grand Slam doubles titles is currently president of the Athletes’ Association of Spain. He joined the widespread criticism of Noah, saying: “You have hurt Spaniards, athletes and me.

“I think it is not fair to discredit the triumphs of Spanish athletes by treating them all as cheaters. The truth is that I am still stunned.”

“DAILY TENNIS NEWS WIRE”