(AFP) – Rafael Nadal won a defamation case against former French health and sports minister Roselyne Bachelot on Thursday after she accused him of doping on television.
Bachelot was handed a €500 fine by a court in Paris and ordered to pay 12,000 euros in damages and legal fees to Rafa over the allegation she made to the D8 channel in March 2016.
Rafa:
I would like to reiterate my respect to the legal procedure and Tribunals of France. We have been made aware of their decision by which Mrs. Bachelot has been found guilty of defamation.
When I filed the law suit against Mrs. Bachelot, I intended not only to defend my integrity and my image as an athlete but also the values I have defended all my career.
I also wish to avoid any public figure from making insulting or false allegations against an athlete using the media, without any evidence or foundation and to go unpunished.
The motivation as I have always remarked was not economical. As the tribunal considered there has been a wrong-doing and the sentence recognises the right to damages, the compensation will be paid back in full to an NGO or foundation in France.
The ex-minister from 2007-2010 alleged that Rafa had faked an injury in 2012, when he missed the final six months of the season due to knee problems, in order to hide a positive drug test.
Rafa has never failed a drugs test and denies ever using banned substances.
He had sought € 100,000 in damages and explained last year that he had decided to take legal action to set an example, having previously ignored allegations against him.
His lawyer, Patrick Maisonneuve, told the court in October that the doping accusation could have had “major consequences” for Rafa concerning his “existing or future sponsors”.
Source: AFP
Changes to and enforcement of some current ATP Slam rules will go into effect starting in 2018 and new rules will go into effect in 2019 according to the Grandstand.
In 2018, the time rule for in-between shots will be “strictly” enforced.
The above is just a glimpse of what’s in store for players in 2018.
its a victory that there was no question that you would never do anything like that very pleased for you and your family vamos rafa,hope you get better soon xxx
Congradulations. I think your a decent person and never believed the rumors. Hope the fame she was seaking was worth it to her. Your a good player im going to enjoy a few more years of watching you work. Keep going.
Finals Umpire must be fired………….his psychological abuse of players is criminal and he must be reprehended for his mistreatmentand unfair unequal coverage of points. Goffin was on a groove and this poor umpire unfairly gave Goffin vitiation on serve when D takes just as much if no longer to serve. ….it was intentional to stop Goffin’s momentum….and ALSO….the way he announces results is NOT WITH EQUAL TONE AND ATTITUDE……….and the way he says Goffin’s name is horrible….sounds punishing and definitely destructs Goffin…..I think Goffin is the stronger player not only today but in general, and once again lots of none professional coverage is happening…… So even if Goffin loses, he is the better, more fit, striking player. I like Dimitrov as well , he is a good player fighting for each return , but I do not like to see such bias happening in ATP MATCHES……….poor umpire bias over and over again …. no fun to watch….
I am happy dear Rafa that you gave Goffin the toughest fight in the tour…..you are by far the strongest WORLD player, strongest fighter, and most handsome !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) 😉 🙂 YOUR MATCHES ARE MOST FUN of all and we love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ):) 🙂 VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Enjoy your time off & lots of love & happiness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) 🙂 XOXOXOXOXOXOXO
“Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion”, says the announcer of the final. Could easily have been said about Rafa, but this time it isn’t… I hope Goffin wins this. He deserves it for defeating the number 1 and 2 at one tournament. Both opponents may have been below their best (didn’t see the Federer match), but it’s still some achievement. I didn’t approve of Goffin’s whining over that line call against Rafa earlier this year, but I obviously missed something about his character. Grigor is a nice guy and did that Behind the Scenes so well, happy to hear he will be training with Rafa again.
Last match of the year, here we go!
Can’t wait to see Rafa again next year, 2017 was too amazing for words, miss him already. Hope everything goes well with his knee and general preparation for 2018 and he’s just enjoyng life right now! 🙂
LOL. Mine was a rhetorical question.
I have to ask you though, was your response fact or of the crystal ball variety?
RAFA ROCKED 2017
I am thrilled that Goffin won his semifinal match vs Fed. He will play either Sock or Dimitrov for the title.
RAFA ROCKED 2017
YEH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) Thanks for the update….when Rafa is not playing I do not bother to follow tours….. thrilled to hear Goffin took princess r to the cleaners….hope I can watch a replay….: ) Goffin is an ethical player. He is not one to give matches away as some others do.
You’re welcome Fan love. I usually don’t either but Rafa was competing in this tournament and I was sick of so many predicting Fed would win. It just goes to show how unpredictable tennis can be.
RAFA ROCKED 2017
Huzzah for Rafa! 🙂
Congratulations to Serena who married her fiancé. I wonder who will be next.
Caroline Worseniacki, sorry, i meant Wozniacki is next in line early in the new year.
Venus follow next and then Angelique.
But as always, we’d see……………….hmmn
To put things in their proper perspective, please be aware that Rafa had been linked to doping by others prior to his court case against the ex-minister of sports. [I intentionally refuse to mention her name.]
Rafa decided to sue for libel because the comments were made on TV by an ex-sports minister, a position he felt required a much higher level of responsibility when making such damaging accusations. He was rightly incensed and decided that he had had enough of the rumormongering. He decided to sue.
She made her comments about Rafa in 2016 while discussing Sharapova’s doping scandal. She accused Rafa of covering up a failed doping test as an explanation for his long hiatus from the Tour in 2012-13 when he was recuperating from knee problems. [This last date could be wrong as I wrote this from memory.]
Yes Rafa, enough is enough.
I have already made my comments and pleased to see that some fans have given me a tick 😅. I would like to tell you that on the French TV chat show we watch Sunday afternoons les Enfants de la Télé , last Sunday Mme Bachelot appeared and made another comment which ruffled everyone. The host asked her ” you still work as a pharmacist, don t you ? ” She replied, “you don ‘ t wish to take my doctorat away from me, do you ? ” I think on the TV plateau and those watching found that a bit agressive. 😕What do you fans think ? Of course a professional person, we respect their qualifications and experience. Fiona in Paris
I have already made my comments and pleased to see that some fans have given me a tick 😅. I would like to tell you that on the French TV chat show we watch Sunday afternoons les Enfants de la Télé , last Sunday Mme Bachelot appeared and made another comment which ruffled everyone. The host asked her ” you still work as a pharmacist, don t you ? ” She replied, “you don ‘ t wish to take my doctorat away from me, do you ? ” I think on the TV plateau and those watching found that a bit agressive. 😕What do you fans think ? Of course a professional person, we respect their qualifications and experience. Fiona in Paris I have written this incident to Rafa on Twitter in Spanish to let him know.
I have had enough of her here. Next subject?
RAFA ROCKED HIS LAWSUIT
FELICIDADES RAFA, NUNCA DUDÉ DE TU HONESTIDAD TANTO DENTRO COMO FUERA DE LA CANCHA, ERES UN EJEMPLO PARA TODOS
False accusations are so dangerous. The ex-minister should be ashamed of herself for
trying to bring disdain on Rafa’s character and integrity. Rafa is such an honorable guy with such integrity and respect for everyone. I knew he would prevail.
So glad Rafa took this action. I agree justice has been served.
Especially as the Spanish saw Rafael Nadal win on his home ground this year in Barcelona and Madrid and get a Decima 😃👑 We would have liked to see a Frenchman win at Paris Bercy Masters 1000 after Rafa finished. 😐 At least I saw him win there on the Weds. 😀 It was good to see him close up. 😉 Fiona in Paris
OLA OLA OLA OLA & VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) 🙂 🙂 : ) : ) : ) : ) Very happy it is now behind you dear Rafa and it is beautiful you stood up and advocated for yourself. Life is full of goodness and sometime with less desirable moments and all along I had a feeling that you will continue to excel and be successful…..and ending NUMBER UNO RANKING IS SPECTACULAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) 🙂 🙂 : ) KUDOS SWEETHEART & VAMOS & KEEP SMILING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 😉 : ) As a side note, I am also thrilled your legal fees have been recovered & all taken care of!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) 🙂 : ) 🙂 ci…..ci…..ci….. : ) : ) : ) : ) 😉 Enjoy a beautiful weekend & God bless you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) Good night & lots of love & happiness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) Vamos!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ): ) XOXOXOXO GO RAFA GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) 🙂 Have lots of fun & great holiday time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : )
So pleased with the result & wish you a speedy recovery with your knee now – a wonderful ambassador Rafa for not only the sport of tennis but your country as well
You deserved to win over false accusations made against you.It proves your honesty and true sportmanship.Rest your mind,body and soul.Get your best treatment and get well soon.Take care and God bless you and your loved ones abundantly.
Way to go Rafa !!!
Super Rafa
Cheers
This was always going to be the result n I am so happy for you Rafa. May Bachelot pay for this vicious n mean accusation which, I am sure, caused you unnecessary pain, amongst other things.
Have the necessary treatment, relax on your yacht, enjoy time with Maria n your family, n above all I pray get completely well. I am an old lady n so look forward to seeing you play. Tennis is dull for me, n many others, without you! I want to see you compete n win the Aus. Open. Vamos Rafa. God bless you. Your Aussie Abuela Nan Shirley. 🐂🏆👑🎉🎉
Rafa I am very pleased that justice has prevailed for you and for others as well,
Hope things are going well with your knee.
Love and prayers,
AlaineXXSydneyXXAustraliaXX