UEFA to act tough on doping by introducing tests

Johannesburg: Footballers will have to clear blood tests as part of UEFA`s new anti-doping detection regime starting next season, in a move that is expected to clear the sport of its unfair practices.

According to media reports, checks would be made in and out of competitions and players may be asked to give urine samples, blood samples or both, with out-of-competition checks only being carried out if players or teams did not inform testers where they would be when required to be tested. At a meeting held by the body, chairman Dr Jacques Lienard said that he could not say if football was free of doping and it was important that UEFA remained vigilant in its fight against the menace. ANI