The Times Online discusses new rigorous sports dopiing tests for professional soccer players. An important component here will be an off-season protocol.
England squad members could be among a list of 30 players who will be tested regularly for drugs in a new clampdown. They will be tested at least five times a year — including during the close season — in addition to random post-match tests.
The chosen players will have to keep UK Sport officials informed of their whereabouts for at least an hour each day and any who are not at the location they have specified on at least three occasions will fall foul of the “three strikes and out rule”. That could result in them being banned from playing for a year.
The 30 players will include at least 15 from England squads, ranging from the senior side to youth-team level. The list will be drawn up by UK Sport and the FA with the scheme earmarked to start from July 1. It will target users of recreational drugs, such as cocaine, as well as performanceenhancing substances. If a player refuses to be included in the scheme, he could still be banned or fined...
Andy Parkinson, UK Sport’s Head of Operations for Drugs-Free Sport, said: “At the moment, players have licence to take anything they want in the summer, as they disappear off our radar. I’m not arguing they do take things, but when England didn’t qualify for the last European Championships, they didn’t reappear until six weeks later before pre-season training. They could have done anything. Under this, they could be in Barbados and we could still test them.
“We shall be sensible over how we approach the off-season. We are not evil regulators out to make life difficult for footballers. We’re trying to protect their sport.”
THIRTY - that's about one in ten - well that's a bit rubbish. I'm sure they'll all be shaking in their boots (not). Pfft.
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