No room for doping - FIFA

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Rustenburg - The FIFA Medical Committee has vowed to clamp down on doping during the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

"Doping in football is dangerous. We want all players of the 32 participating teams to stay away from doping because we are not going to be nice at all," FIFA's chief medical officer, Prof Jiri Dvorak told BuaNews recently.

Dvorak said any player who will be found to have used steroids will be suspended from the tournament.

The FIFA Medical Committee also said they will make unannounced visits to the 32 teams' training camps to conduct random doping tests starting from March 22.

Tests will also be conducted when the 31 teams arrive in South Africa for the soccer spectacular.

Chairman of the FIFA Medical Committee, Dr Michel D'Hooghe told BuaNews that representatives of the 32 participating teams have also signed a declaration pledging their full support for FIFA's anti-doping strategy.

Meanwhile, the Local Organising Committee's chief medical officer, Dr Victor Ramathesele said measures are in place to control the spread of communicable diseases.

"In collaboration with government and private sector, we have plans in place to ensure that people don't bring diseases into our country. We are ready to provide services not only to soccer players, but also to fans at the stadium, public viewing areas and fan parks," he said, adding that the South African National Aids Council will ensure the availability of condoms for visitors and locals during the tournament.