Interview with Giampaolo Cantamessa, club doctor of the Veronese football team.

Malevolent rumours are going round that Chievo’s amazing promotion into Serie A, a club that has known how to magnificently embody the entry of a small-time club to the big time, has suited the footballing powers that be, so as to restore a world rocked by a passport scandal, doping cases and match fixing. More correctly, as Giampaolo Cantamessa, club doctor of the Veronese team, points out, the exhilarating rise of the yellow-blues “has undoubtedly brought some good to football that was in need of a good clean-up.” This then is the starting point for an all-round discussion on the club policies of the terrific newcomer. The usual Cinderella stereotypes of Serie A, in actual fact, take second place to an organizational machine that is finely tuned right down to the finest details. Those familiar with the Chievo camp know that professionalism and targeted planning have always formed the basis of the actions of the Campedelli family. And it is also very careful when it comes to the subject of sports medicine and prevention.

Q: “What do your players use then”? A: “We use the classic supplements, to guarantee players’ stamina in threshold situations; which concern the classic methods known to all. First of all, carbohydrates, used before the match, i.e. the fuel to be taken before a game (fructose and maltodextrin). There are saline integrations (like Gatorade sports drinks) before and after training sessions, which are especially recommended during the summer period, when the body sweats more and needs to replace the liquids lost. Our advice is to drink plenty during exertion. Even if some people in Serie A and B preach that resistance to thirst is an effective trial to be endured. The last two things are branched-chain amino acids and the taking of carnitine and creatine in low doses. Back in spring we underwent a check corresponding to our top of the table position in Serie B. Two Italian National Olympic Committee inspectors carried out tests on 12 of our players and we were given the all-clear.” Therefore we can’t have doping around here.

Q: “How can you be so confident?”
A: “Because the atmosphere between players and staff is conducive to close collaboration. Our players don’t have any doubts about our conduct. Besides, they know my rather severe views against any type of doping, based, besides, on a very simple axiom. In my opinion the “technical capital” of a group affects the team performances by 60-70%, the playing side does the rest. Therefore, given the intake of banned substances, this would drop to 30-40%, a further reduction needs to be applied to this, however: a player represents 1/11th or 1/16th if one counts the reserves. At this point, it would be extremely stupid also for a player. Allow me the term, but football is surely the sport least open to drug abuse since, after all, the game is absolutely not worth the candle.” And not even worth it for those who, scientifically, would have prescribed the possible banned substances.

Q: “Guariniello has recently spoken about conspiracy of silence.” A: “I don’t agree. It would be ridiculous to offload any responsibility onto the club doctors. Do you think that one of us could risk our professionalism for the sake of a couple of tablets that would alter performances on the pitch? It is illogical also because there is not the profitable return. You risk throwing away a reputation built up through years of work, together with that of a player earning millions.”

Q: “Which are the pivotal points of the new Code of conduct?”
A: “In the new Code of conduct the club doctor becomes the sole reference and person responsible for the entire medical staff. There is mutual responsibility between players and doctors with written agreements. Our staff has taken on an extra initiative: a kind of addition to this code. As well as the list of supplements allowed, we include an information leaflet and the composition of ingredients, for our cardholders. With this we are available to give any explanations and clarifications, which besides are able to be cross checked with any doctor chosen by players. A line of conduct also adopted by Juventus, as has recently been confirmed to me by Dr. Agricola.”

Q: “ All straightforward therefore?”
A: . “Well, not quite. Problems have not been lacking. And now we are continuing to study a series of really unusual interactions that only a full trusting relationship can identify. There must also be intimacy and absolute attention given to the finest details. I’ll give an example that illustrates the situation: the use of a retardant-type condom could even give a positive test result, caused by benzocaine, a local anaesthetic. If the use of such is declared prior to testing then everything is okay, otherwise one runs the risk of sanctions. However, you can understand how a 20 year old lad would never think for a moment that this could be the cause of a positive drug test. Then we have even discovered that certain homeopathic products stimulate the production of metabolites of nandrolone by the organism (internal production).”

Q: “So what does this uncertainty create besides considerable confusion at this moment in time? Recent comments by the FIFA president, Blatter, would indicate that players are the unwitting subjects of dirty games by clubs, to profit from enormous financial interests”
A: “In my opinion the current situation is the result of a mixture of ignorance, inaccuracy and irresponsibility. And here I point a critical finger at the players who should accept greater responsibility and awareness of their position. It’s not their job to know all about medicines, but it forms a part of it. A basic lesson in anatomy, examining the body’s reactions, taking care of one’s own personal situation, both biological and pharmacological, could prove more than useful. Players could find time to attend a course in football medicine. In short, football players should get organized so as to provide themselves with complete protection. I’ll give an example: some players still haven’t given me their medical card number.”

Q: “A clear message. The front line doctors in this battle strategy, but also those directly involved, must wake up and become aware of their profession. It’s not all plain sailing and there are also sensitive aspects.
R: “Some players are mavericks; perhaps a friend’s advice or something they hear makes them take something which they then don’t tell you about. Hence passive victims in situations of that kind, but up to a certain point. Just like I refuse to think that internet is the cause of all bad things, as for getting hold of illegal substances. Certainly, in America body building and conditioning one’s body is still in fashion, and some players workout in the gym on top of training sessions, with a slightly vain will. Perhaps the word passed around on the products does the rest. But it is inconceivable that a club doctor gets supplements from the internet, perhaps in order to make a saving. We have been approached by some foreign companies with supplements, but we have chosen those, with certified composition, registered with the Ministry of Health. Hence it is the company’s responsibility if a problem arises.”

Cantamessa closes with an important consideration, which is lacking, for the full protection of his role’s new responsibilities: the disadvantage of not having a national contract. “We are the only category within footballing circles without one. While clubs increasingly require more time and greater responsibility from us, we do not have any trade union protection. There are no pay parameters, everything depends on your club’s sensitivity. In theory, you could be left at home if a colleague turns up offering to take over your role at a lower price. The fact is things are moving in the opposite direction to that of a stronger obligation, regularized by rules, which instead would stimulate professionalism and research. Everything, at times, is swapped for a hypothetical positive feedback. Instead, deep down, there is only tremendous passion and love for football. Its clean version.”

(trad. Interpres sas Giussano)