Ronaldo might face doping probe

Nothing ever goes smoothly for Ronaldo. The player's controversial recovery in Brazil will soon come to an end, the Milan striker set to return to the San Siro within 48 hours, but the gene therapy that he has undergone in Rio could constitute doping - according, at least, to Luigi Frati of the Italian National Olympic Committee...

Ronaldo could face a doping enquiry upon his arrival in Italy, according to Italian National Olympic Committee president Luigi Frati.

The striker, whose Brazilian doctors accused AC Milan of botching his rehabilitation, has been undergoing a form of gene therapy in Brazil in the hope of hastening his recovery.

The treatment consists of taking protein strands from the player's blood and injecting it into the damaged portion of his body - the thigh - in order to speed up tissue regrowth.

Luigi Frati contends that this could constitute illegal doping, and has hinted at the prospect of an inquiry into the player's treatment upon his arrival back in Italy.

Ronaldo is expected to return to Milan within the next two days, when he will learn of his fate.

The player was expected to have made his comeback to first team football by now but his injury has not progressed at the rate expected by the AC Milan medical and coaching staff.

Frustrated, he returned to Brazil for more treatment, Milan only reluctantly allowing him to stay as long as he did in his country of birth.

Ronaldo arrived at the San Siro in January this year from Real Madrid. He has scored seven times in fourteen league appearances for the Rossoneri.