Fabio Cannavaro attacks press after drugs charges dropped

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Cannavaro tested positive for the banned substance cortisone after taking a medicine to treat an insect sting in August.

The Italy captain had requested an exemption from taking drugs tests, on the grounds of having taken a medication in an emergency situation, but failed to include a document necessary to complete the application.

The national anti-doping tribunal have now dropped the case, as expected, after it was recommended by the Italian Olympic Committee's anti-doping prosecutor on Saturday, and Cannavaro has lambasted the media for making a mountain out of a molehill.

"It really annoys me. And in case you didn't understand properly I'll repeat that, it really annoys me," he raged.

"I have a clean conscience.

"Someone gets stung by a bee and finds themselves in the paper as if they were a drug user.

"When it happened I thought I was dreaming. Some newspapers and television stations really exaggerated."

It is not the first time Cannavaro has been at the centre of a drugs controversy.

In 1999 the then Parma defender was filmed the night before the UEFA Cup final injecting himself with a substance - later proved to be the legal drug neoton.

"This is the second time I find myself in the paper for stories of this sort," continued Cannavaro.

"That time it was really stupid of me to let myself be filmed, even if the substance was not illegal.

"This time there was stupidity on Juve's part but it all seems exaggerated to me.

"I hope these doubts don't follow me beyond today, my career has been exemplary and I have always followed the rules."