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'no sign of irregular behaviour'

Russian World Cup hero Denis Cheryshev cleared of doping offence… just one day after the investigation was revealed

RUSSIAN hero Denis Cheryshev has been cleared of doping claims - just a day after the investigation was revealed.

The four-goal World Cup winger was probed after dad Dimitri said his son had taken growth hormone treatment (HGH).

 Wideman Denis Cheryshev helped Russia beat the Czech Republic 5-1 in a friendly on Monday before being cleared of doping allegations
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Wideman Denis Cheryshev helped Russia beat the Czech Republic 5-1 in a friendly on Monday before being cleared of doping allegationsCredit: Getty - Contributor

But Spain's anti-doping agency quickly found no "signs of irregular behaviour" in the La Liga star.

Cheryshev, 27, was linked with Everton in the summer transfer window.

But instead Villarreal sent him for a temporary spell with their Spanish rivals Valencia.

Cheryshev always sounded relaxed and confident he would be found innocent of doping allegations.

 La Liga star Denis Cheryshev saw the case closed just a day after it was revealed
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La Liga star Denis Cheryshev saw the case closed just a day after it was revealedCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Russia winger Denis Cheryshev was one of the hosts' stars of the World Cup
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Russia winger Denis Cheryshev was one of the hosts' stars of the World CupCredit: Reuters

It is understood he told authorities he had taken a legal and naturally-occurring substance.

Meanwhile, his dad insisted he was mis-quoted about his son's use of HGH.

Dimitri made his controversial comments before the World Cup, where Cheryshev junior helped the hosts reached the quarter-finals.

Russia players and fans devastated as Croatia beat them on penalties in World Cup and set up semi-final with England
 Denis Cheryshev played in Russia's 1-1 draw against Turkey last Friday
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Denis Cheryshev played in Russia's 1-1 draw against Turkey last FridayCredit: AP:Associated Press

And before Spanish investigators closed the case on him, former Real Madrid fringe man Cheryshev told Russian sports daily Sport-Express: "On my side, everything has been honest and I think there will be no problem.

"I think we'd better leave this case in the hands of medics, who have done everything right.".

Similarly, the Russian Football Union said Cheryshev had injected a legal growth factor - platelet-rich plasma, which is protein from blood.

 Winger Denis Cheryshev was always confident he would be cleared of doping claims
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Winger Denis Cheryshev was always confident he would be cleared of doping claimsCredit: Getty - Contributor
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