Woods 'nothing to do' with charges

Woods: 'Nothing to do' with charges

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Troubled Tiger Woods has "absolutely nothing to do" with drugs charges levelled at the doctor who treated the golfer following his knee surgery last year, the lawyer representing Tony Galea has said.

The case, which opened in a Toronto court on Friday, sees Galea charged with four violations - selling the unapproved drug Actovegin, conspiracy to import an unapproved drug, conspiracy to export a drug and smuggling goods into Canada.

Galea, who was not present for the brief hearing, treated Woods with the controversial but legal "blood-spinning" procedure as the world number one sought to recover his fitness following surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left knee in 2008.

However, his attorney Brian Greenspan stated on the steps of the courthouse: "Dr Galea has not been and is not involved in providing performance-enhacing drugs to competitive athletes.

"Any suggestion of a linkage to Tiger Woods is non-existent."

Greenspan added: "If you are here to ask about Tiger Woods that's not the story today - and it's not really the story of Dr Galea.

"Tiger Woods happened to be a patient who he assisted in his rehabilitation programme after his surgery and apparently, according to all reports, was very successful in assisting Tiger Woods to return to golf earlier than was anticipated.

"His primary practice, particularly when it comes to athletes, is in addressing their injuries. He is not engaged or involved with performance-enhancement. He deals with injuries."

Greenspan said the doctor's work also included helping people over the age of 40 enhance their lifestyle with "innovative medicine techniques".

The charges against Galea were announced and the prosecutor then handed over evidence to date. Greenspan will return to the court on January 28, when the prosecution will hand over any additional evidence.

The case will be made public only if it goes to trial, with Galea facing a maximum sentence of five years in prison if found guilty.

Sensitivity

Meanwhile, Woods has lost another sponsor after Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer announced it would no longer use the golfer's image.

In an interview to be published in Saturday's edition of Swiss newspaper Le Matin, Tag Heuer chief executive Jean-Christophe Babin said: "We recognise Tiger Woods as a great athlete, but we must take into account the sensitivity of some consumers in relation to recent events."

The company said it would continue to support Woods' charities.