Unknown infusions in Bulgaria, doping substances in his body when he transferred to Freiburg in summer 2011 and compulsion to take pills at SC. Ex-Freiburg player Garra Dembelé made diffuse allegations in a French documentary series. SC now responded with a statement naming the nature of the pills.
20 competitive appearances, one goal, two assists – Dembelé has not left much of a mark on Freiburg in sporting terms. The former striker was employed by SC from the summer of 2011 until January 2013 and after a one-year loan to China (Wuhan Zall FC) from January 2014 until his contract was terminated in April 2014. Now, more than four years after ending his career with Swiss club FC Solothurn, the now 35-year-old made vague accusations concerning his time in Breisgau and the season before, which Dembelé spent with Bulgarian club Levski Sofia.
The documentary series “Destins brisés” (broken destinies) by the French sports newspaper “L’Equipe” is about Dembelé’s career, which was ultimately disappointing after strong performances in the French U-19 national team. Dembelé says he was given infusions by a nurse in a white coat “after Europa League games” in Bulgaria “because we were already playing again two days later”. He said he did not know the contents of the infusions.
“But what I can say for sure is that when I signed in Germany, I had substances in my body that were not allowed in Germany. So it happened that when I arrived in Germany I was doped. I had hormones and whatnot in the infusions,” Dembelé claims, but says immediately afterwards: “At the same time, every time I had to go for an anti-doping test after the weekend games. I urinated in the cup and obviously there was nothing.”
In Germany there was a “little box with my number on it, the eleven “, Dembelé continues in the interview: “I had to take about ten pills after the training sessions. I didn’t even know what they were. Some pills were huge,” he says, pointing to his fingertip, “They got stuck in my throat. I didn’t know what they were. If you didn’t take them, there was an additional fine in Germany. “
There were vitamin C and zinc tablets on offer
On Thursday evening, SC Freiburg reacted to Dembelé’s comments with a statement: “After consultation with the medical staff at the time, we can clarify that vitamin C and zinc tablets were offered prophylactically and during phases of colds in individual players. For hygienic reasons, these were handed out in commercially available sliding boxes. There were candidates who regularly forgot to take them. In these cases, the team treasury was called upon,” explained SC press spokesman Sascha Glunk.
The statement goes on to say: “We do not wish to comment further on any further statements made by Garra Dembelé and his possible motives, also in order to protect the former player and the circumstances of the cooperation at the time and the premature termination of the contract. The player’s statements have no basis whatsoever, provided they are placed in the context circulated in the media. “
