Arsenal, Chelsea and Leicester Comment on Dr Mark Bonar's Doping Allegations

Chelsea, Arsenal and Leicester City have dismissed doping allegations from British doctor Mark Bonar, calling statements he made during an undercover interview with the Sunday Times "baseless and false." 

As relayed by the Mirror, Bonar reportedly said he has prescribed banned substances for more than 150 top athletes, including players from major Premier League clubs.

An Arsenal spokesman dismissed the claims:

"

Arsenal Football Club is extremely disappointed by the publication of these false claims which are without foundation.

The Sunday Times knows that these allegations are baseless but has preferred to publish regardless.

The club takes its responsibilities in this area very seriously and our players are well aware of what is expected.

"

A Chelsea spokesman echoed the sentiment:

"

The claims the Sunday Times put to us are false and entirely without foundation.

Chelsea Football Club has never used the services of Dr Bonar and has no knowledge or record of any of our players having been treated by him or using his services.

We take the issue of performance-enhancing drugs in sport extremely seriously and comply fully with all anti-doping rules and regulations.

"

The Foxes pointed to the fact the Sunday Times admitted to not having enough evidence, per BBC Sport: "We are extremely disappointed that the Sunday Times has published unsubstantiated allegations referring to players from clubs including Leicester City when, on its own admission, it has insufficient evidence to support the claims."

Per the report, Dr Bonar has denied any wrongdoing in the wake of the Sunday Times' revelations.

Bonar is said to have told reporters he prescribed banned substances, including erythropoietin (EPO), steroids and human growth hormones, to a number of athletes from an array of sports.

Included were footballers from Chelsea, Leicester, Arsenal and Birmingham City, although the Sunday Times was unable to verify any of those statements.

The report led to plenty of discussion on social media. ESPN FC's Miguel Delaney had little trouble believing there is doping in football:

The Science of Sport's Ross Tucker hopes more details will emerge and that the story won't turn into an empty revelation that provides no names or evidence:

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport John Whittingdale praised the investigators from the Sunday Times and called for an official investigation into UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), per the Mirror.

UKAD chief executive Nicole Sapstead also praised the reporters who uncovered the allegations, per BBC Sport's Dan Roan:

Per Owen Gibson of the Guardian, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has long stated that football has a doping problem. However, Arsenal's response to Dr Bonar's reported comments is a clear message they do not believe the problem exists within their walls.

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