MADRID: Real Madrid has joined the defence of Rafael Nadal after doping accusations made by a former French minister.

The Spanish soccer giant expressed its "total support" for the 14-time Grand Slam winner in a statement Saturday which called the accusations by former French Minister for Health and Sport Roselyne Bachelot "unjustifiable and intolerable."

Bachelot claimed on French television on Thursday that the Spaniard's seven-month injury hiatus in 2012 was "probably due to a positive doping test."

Nadal is a prominent fan of Madrid and a "member of honor" of the club.

The Spanish Olympic Committee, national team manager Vicente del Bosque and Barcelona coach Luis Enrique have also supported Nadal, who denies any wrongdoing.