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Thursday, 25 May 2006 |
Liberty Seguros withdraws sponsorship after Manolo Saiz questioned in doping enquiry
Liberty Seguros has withdrawn its sponsorship of the pro cycling team after team boss Manolo Saiz became involved in a doping enquiry.
Manolo Saiz was interrogated and then released by Spanish police on Wednesday in what has been described as the biggest anti-doping investigation in Spain.
Liberty Seguros announced in a statement on Thursday that it had made its decision following his detention.
Manolo Saiz has been told he must be available to appear before a judge when he is needed.
A statement from Liberty Seguros said: "As sponsors, we have always wanted to promote a culture of fair play and zero tolerance with respect to doping.
"In November 2005 after the suspension of a rider (Roberto Heras) for doping we made our contract one of the most rigorous with regard to this subject.
"The implications and consequences of the detention of Manolo Saiz are highly worrying - they damage our name and the name of cycling.
"We have cancelled our agreement with the owners of the team (Active Bay) and will respect outstanding financial obligations."
Spain's Civil Guard on Wednesday gave few details of the investigation in a statement on Wednesday apart from saying that, "Five people have been detained as suspects for crimes against public health.
"The Guard have raided a number of addresses and found a large quantity of medical supplies such as anabolic steroids etc, laboratory equipment for use in blood transfusions, and more than 100 frozen packs of blood."
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Last Updated ( Monday, 29 May 2006 )
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