(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