Gourcuff should certainly get the start

Ronaldo faces doping probe

Ronaldo’s injury saga has taken another twist after allegations from the Italian National Olympic Committee President that his treatment is a form of doping.

Milan's Brazilian hitman has been injured since July 31 and has become increasingly frustrated as his recovery date has been repeatedly pushed back.

What was initially expected to be a routine thigh strain has now been revealed to be a much more serious complaint.

Reportedly disillusioned with the efforts of Milan’s medical team, Il Fenomeno opted to travel to Brazil to consult his national side’s doctor Jose Luis Runco, much to the chagrin of the Diavolo.

Runco accused the Rossoneri of misdiagnosing Ronaldo’s condition and a new course of treatment was undertaken, but now Runco’s methods are under the spotlight.

The procedure allegedly involves injections of protein strands from healthy blood into damaged tissue to encourage growth of damaged tissue – a process that Luigi Frati believes is a form of doping.

"This kind of therapy is surely doping," he was quoted as saying when questioned by the Press yesterday.

Ronaldo is due to return to Milan within the next 48 hours, but the man in charge of anti-doping procedure in Italy Ettore Torri has suggested that there may be an inquiry into his treatment.

"I am waiting for news and there is no guarantee that we won't launch an investigation," Torri told Ansa on Monday evening

Ancelotti sick of Ronaldo saga


Ronaldo is on his way back to Italy, but controversy rages over his possibly illegal treatment and Carlo Ancelotti snapped at the Milan medical staff.

The Coach had said Ronaldo would be able to start this Saturday’s Serie A match against Siena, but instead he has been ruled out for around a month after flying to Brazil for specialist gene therapy.

“How is Ronnie? Ask Professor Meersseman and the medical staff,” said a visibly irritated Ancelotti.

“I was told he would be ready on Monday September 10, then I was told Wednesday. I am still waiting…”

The Rossoneri admitted they misdiagnosed Il Fenomeno’s injury, but even the treatment he is receiving at the hands of Selecao medical staff is causing controversy.

‘Growth Factor’ involves taking out Ronaldo’s blood, treating it in the laboratory to extract the platelets and re-injecting them into the point of the muscular or ligament lesion to encourage a faster recovery process.

He has already undergone the treatment and is on a flight from Rio de Janeiro to Paris, where he will continue his journey to Milan in the morning.

Yet there are questions over whether or not this system constitutes doping, as it is in some ways similar to the banned EPO.

“The international rules are not yet clear on this matter,” explained Doctor Pino Capua, the President of the FIGC Anti-Doping Commission.

“As the Federation we made a specific request to Wada in 2005, but did not receive a reply, because this is a scientifically delicate situation.

“In reality the results of this type of therapy have not yet been seen. I think it is understandable that there isn’t clarity in terms of institutions around the world.”

its just not fair, we are suffering so much miss- fortune (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

its just not fair, we are suffering so much miss- fortune (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Runco denies Ronnie doping
Wednesday 12 September, 2007

Ronaldo’s long-running injury saga may have finally reached its conclusion as his doctor in Brazil has revealed no new treatment was used.

The Brazilian international has endured a frustrating spell since reporting a thigh pain at the end of July.

Initial treatment in Milan failed to inspire the desired recovery, prompting the 30-year-old to turn to his national side’s doctor Jose Luis Runco in Brazil, much to the Diavolo’s chagrin.

Runco changed the diagnosis of Ronaldo’s condition and criticised his Italian counterparts’ efforts, but a rumour spread that he was using an experimental treatment.

The method in question involves the injection of blood cells into damaged tissue, a similar technique to EPO – the stimulation of the red blood cell producing hormone.

As the technique is still in its infancy and at an experimental stage there is yet to be a definitive ruling on its legality.

Italian National Olympic Committee representatives Ettore Torri and Luigi Frati stirred controversy by speculating that such a treatment was a form of doping and should be investigated.

However, Runco has now revealed that no such method was used and Ronaldo has returned to Milanello to begin a conventional recovery.

“Ronaldo didn’t need the experimental treatment so we have opted for a more traditional and safer method,” the respected doctor told Telelombardia.

“The muscle is improving, but it will need another two or three weeks to start truly healing. I have explained the best course to Rossoneri doctor Massimiliano Sala so the recovery can take place in Italy.”

Carlo Ancelotti’s faith that Ronaldo will be fit to start against Siena this weekend has proven to be misplaced, but he should be ready for action within the next month.

While the striking star’s thigh will heal, it may take longer for the damage to his relationship with his club to recover after the public embarrassment he heaped upon the medical staff in Milan.


::channel4::

its just not fair, we are suffering so much miss- fortune (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

Sacchi Slams Ronaldo's Doctor Visit

Legendary ex-Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi has hit out at Rossoneri striker Ronaldo for travelling to Brazil to get treatment on his troublesome thigh injury.

The former Azzurri boss, who took Italy to the final of USA 94’, claims that the Brazilian’s actions have caused unnecessary friction within the club. 

Ronaldo flew out to Rio de Janeiro last Friday to see Brazil national team doctor Jose Luiz Runco and personal physiotherapist Bruno Mazziotti. The two medics subsequently claimed that the Milan medical team had given the star the wrong form of treatment. 

“I think that a player who goes to see his own personal doctor can obtain very little sympathy,” Sacchi explained.  “It causes friction between the club doctors and the club itself as it puts the merits of the medical staff into question.” 

The ex-Parma tactician also offered his opinion on new Brazilian signing Alexandre Pato. The 18-year-old, nicknamed ‘The Duck’, was signed from Internacional in the summer. The striker is described as a star in the making but is ineligible to play for the Rossoneri until January. 

“In January, Pato will arrive. I do not know the player personally but Carlo Ancelotti tells me he is a great player,” Sacchi concluded.

14/09/2007 12:58


Galliani: We Can Manage Without Ronaldo

Milan general manager Adriano Galliani has stated that the Rossoneri can cope without injured Brazilian star Ronaldo.

It is still not known for certain when the former Real Madrid striker will be able to return although latest estimates suggest that Ronnie will be out for at least another month. 

The on-going saga has led to Ronaldo travelling to Brazil last week to obtain treatment from his own personal doctor. This caused controversy in Milan as it was subsequently revealed that the Milan medical team may have been giving El Fenomeno the wrong form of treatment. 

“For now we can do without Ronaldo. We do not have any doubts over the ability of Filippo Inzaghi and Alberto Gilardino. They are very capable of replacing Ronaldo, who will be useful in the Champions League,” Galliani said. 

“Furthermore we are waiting for Alexandre Pato who will arrive in January.” 

Milan currently have just three senior strikers on their books. Filippo Inzaghi has showed he is still capable of scoring at the highest level but having just turned 34, it remains to be seen how many games a season SuperPippo can play. 

Alberto Gilardino is presently going through a crisis in confidence in front of goal and the forward was roundly booed by the Rossoneri crowd during Milan’s last match with Fiorentina. Twenty-year-old rookie Willie Aubameyang is the only other alternative Carlo Ancelotti has at his disposal.

Again, that "filled in all positions" talk,.. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

Well yeah ... What did u expect him to say ?! Gilardino is sh1t, we are in a fix and if he doesn't shape up he will be shipped off (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

C'mon, most of the time, when executives talk like that, they mean to direct the talk to the players .. To boost their confidence. They wouldn't care less what we thought about it ... Well they do care, but it ain't like he is sucking up, if u know what I mean ..

Some players (cough,..Gilardino,..cough) could "overboost" I fear,.. (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)