The World Anti-Doping Agency has warned FIFA and UEFA of "consequences" if soccer's officials resist a new rule on testing procedures, specifically saying that soccer's Olympics status could be on the line. So far both FIFA and UEFA have refused to accept the new testing procedures which take effect Jan. 1 this year. The new testing procedures, known as the "whereabouts rule", require all elite athletes to give notice on a chosen one hour period each day, 7 days a week. The objective is to have a surprise effect and the possibility to test an athlete without advanced notice on a 365 day basis-during training and holidays. FIFA and UEFA may be in deep trouble because I suspect whether they comply or not, they will be in deep trouble. A recent Fench anti-doping test at random has netted a surprisngly high level of athletes caught doping. A very high percentage of them were soccer players; others were rugby players, cyclists and athletes. Tennis star like Nadar are angry about such test. The testings used the hair samples of the athletes, not blood or urine. The World Anti-Doping Agency says that the new testing procedures will go a long way to catching dopers who used to 'mock' the old testing procedures by easily outwitting them. New designer drugs or tailored doping techniques diasappeared quickly from the body while keeping their performance-enhancing effects. This makes testing on the day of the game or competition completely useless. All other team sports except soccer have agreed to the new testing procedures. In view of this why are both FIFA and UEFA so adamantly against testing procedures that can catch those doppers who got away before? Soccer may be banned from future Olympics.
IOC chief Rogge has come today to support the World Anti-Doping Agency on its new 'Whereabouts" ruling to catch drug cheats in soccer. Since all other team sports have agreed to this new ruling, FIFA and UEFA will be hard pressed to say they are special and should be exempted. Maybe professional soccer has something to hide, fearing how WADA went after professional cycling and found a lot of dirt. Further foot dragging will only throw more suspicion on soccer and eventually tarnish it. To all who love the beautiful game what do you think about this? Re cycling, Lance Armstrong had his hair sample tested in his latest return to cycling-the first time he was tested this way. Professional wrestling, weightlifting, baseball, and athletes did not have a record they can boast about.
