Arsene Wenger would be happy to help the UK Anti-Doping after the agency said it would be keen to speak to the Arsenal manager about his recent comments on drugs in football.
Speaking in November, Wenger said he believes football has a doping problem after athletics had been rocked by drugs scandals.
Wenger also claimed that European football’s governing body UEFA ‘basically accepts doping’ after Arijan Ademi was banned for four years having failed a drugs test during Dinamo Zagreb’s Champions League victory over the Gunners.
Wenger’s comments came to the attention of UKAD chief executive Nicole Sapstead, who said she would like to speak to the Frenchman about his insights into doping in football and he now says he is happy to oblige.
“I have more desire than time, but I’m more than happy to help if I can in clarifying things for people who want to fight against doping,” he said.
“I’ve said what I have to say. In football, in our job, we look like we want to tackle the problem now. For a long period it looks to me like we didn’t.
“I am available. We have to tackle doping and fight against it, you and me. I am not thinking I can do more than people responsible to do that, but if they need to talk to me I’m available. What is important is we all have to show we don’t accept it.”
Wenger went on to echo his previous sentiments that he does not believe anyone in the British game is guilty of doping.
“No. I’m sure that not one club in England is trying to dope its players,” he added.
“I’m 100 per cent convinced that nobody in England is trying to do that. When a guy wins, we have to think it’s because he’s the best and not because he’s taking illegal substances. It’s a health issue as well. Sport, justice and health issue.”
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