NFL: Al Jazeera seeks to clarify Manning controversy
FILE – A Denver Broncos fan holds a sign reading “Al-Jazeera Doesn’t Do Football” in support of quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Denver Broncos during a game between the Denver Broncos and the Cincinnati Bengals at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 28, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. Doug Pensinger/Getty Images/AFP
Al Jazeera insisted Tuesday it had never alleged Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning used human growth hormone, the most explosive insinuation in the network’s major investigation into doping in sports.
Al Jazeera reporter Deborah Davies attempted to clarify the report in a follow up on NBC’s “Today” show saying, saying that the documentary had not stated that Manning had used the banned substance.
“We have not said that in the program,” said Davies.
READ: Peyton Manning strongly denies report he used HGH in 2011
Davies said the report had merely cited a former employee of the Guyer Institute in Indianapolis, Charlie Sly, who claimed to have knowledge that HGH was shipped to Manning’s wife Ashley.
“The only allegation in the program from Charlie Sly is that growth hormone was sent repeatedly from the Guyer to Ashley Manning in Florida,” she said.
“We’re not making the allegation against Peyton Manning.”
Manning has threatened to sue over the report.
READ: Denver Broncos’ Peyton Manning wins record fifth NFL MVP award
“Let’s make it clear what the allegation is. The allegation in the program is very simple, that when Charlie Sly worked in the Guyer doing part of his training … the clinic was sending out not one shipment but repeated shipments of growth hormone to Ashley Manning in Florida. That’s it,” Davies said.
Most media following up on Al Jazeera’s report have seen a clear implication made in the documentary, “The Dark Side,” that Peyton Manning was the eventual recipient of the drug shipments.
In report, Sly said: “All the time, we would be sending Ashley Manning drugs. Like growth hormone, all the time, everywhere, Florida. And it would never be under Peyton’s name, it would always be under her name.”
Sly has since recanted everything he said in the documentary and alleged that some of his calls and conversations were recorded without his consent.
