Gary Neville and Roy Keane have alleged that certain opponents they encountered while playing for Manchester United in the Champions League were using performance-enhancing drugs. They also suspect that Italian teams may not have always adhered to fair play guidelines.
Neville and Keane, who were both captains for United, participated in the tournament from 1993-94 until 2010 and 2005, respectively.
Neville mentioned on the Stick To Football podcast that there were a few particular instances that stood out to him. He believes that some of the teams we faced were not playing fairly, and this was evident at the time.
Neville mentioned the use of performance-enhancing stimulants in cycling and other sports. He stated that looking back, it is evident that these substances were prevalent, with doctors also involved. At the time, they noticed physical changes that did not seem normal, especially since they were fit and did not consume alcohol. Neville personally experienced this after playing against an Italian team and realized that something was amiss. He also revealed that some of his teammates in the mid-2000s had similar thoughts.
Keane agreed. “After playing certain teams, I would feel completely exhausted as I walked off the field,” he recalled. “I distinctly remember looking at the players from some of the Italian teams and they seemed like they hadn’t even played a game.”
Source: theguardian.com
