Roberto Carlos denies doping allegations

The former Real Madrid left back has officially denied claims by German TV network ARD that he took banned substances while actively playing football.

A documentary by the TV network claimed that Roberto Carlos name was in a document given by Brazil's anti-doping agency to prosecutors in Sao Paulo in 2015.

But the legendary world cup winner has denied such claim in a post on his official Facebook account. He wrote:

"I repudiate vehemently the irresponsible accusations made by the german network ARD and affirm that I have never used any artifice to allow me to have any advantage over my colleagues in the playing field. The story quotes the name of a doctor who I have never known in my life and my lawyers have already been called to start legal proceedings. We'll ask them to prove, in front of a judge and the public, these accusations.

At the same time, the story states, in an extremely vague way, that I was 'seen' at this Doctor's clinic in July of 2002, period of which I returned to Brazil after winning the World Cup, headed to Brasilia to participate of the cerimmonies and, shortly after, went back to Madrid, in Spain, with no passage through Piracicaba. In addition, the story does not reproduce any evidence of my alleged involvement with the case.

During my my career, I have always defended the fairness and loyalty of the game. These false accusations against me are the complete opositte of what I believe. In more than 20 years as a professional player, I never tested positive to any prohibited substance.

I played in nine football clubs in Brazil, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Russia India and, of course, the Brazilian National Team. I played in two World Cups, being tested week in, week out. If I had made use of any illegal substance, it would have been detected.

Roberto Carlos joined Real Madrid in 1996, and spent back highly successful 11 seasons bat the Bernabeu before moving to Fenerbahçe.

He scored a whooping 71 goals in 574 matches for Madrid. And won four La Liga titles and three Champions League with the Los Blancos.

Carlos played in three World Cups and was part of the 1998 Brazilian squad beaten by France in the final. He was a member of the 2002 World Cup winning team hosted by Korea and Japan.