injuryupdate
11-05-2006, 03:59 PM
From Foxsports:
Drug testing to include asthma meds
By Ted Simmons
May 11, 2006
ASTHMA medication will come under the drug-testing routine for the first time at the World Cup finals in Germany next month.
Players with asthma will be permitted to use their medication but the FIFA medical officers will have to be advised before matches.
"The last two World Cups have been drug-free and we intend to keep the tournament totally without drugs," Dr Siri Kannangara, the Australian representative on the FIFA medical committee, said.
"Special tests have been devised to determine true asthma, and affected players will now be checked. (At) previous tournaments … checking was not carried out.
"There is a stimulant in asthma medicine and the medical committee wants to ensure it is not incorrectly used."
Dr Kannangara, a medical officer to Australia's football teams for 20 years, attended a recent meeting of the FIFA committee in Zurich to discuss the drug program and other areas.
The committee was constantly adding new drugs to the list, as well as new procedures to detect illegal substances, he said..
"We want a level playing field for everyone, and not having certain players gaining an advantage," Dr Kannangara said.
"Drugs are harmful to health, and trying to build muscle by using anabolic steroids can be really dangerous.
"There will be 12 doctors on duty at the World Cup, with two players random-tested from each team at every match. We'll be looking for every type of drug: social, anabolic steroids and others.
"At the last World Cup, we blood-tested for EPO for the first time, but the system has now been improved whereby it can be detected through urine analysis.
"We have fine-tuned our system and believe it is watertight. Every player will have to submit a list of his medicines to the team doctor, who will pass it to the FIFA medical officer.
"If a player forgets, he could face a two-year suspension.
"Because of soccer's track record, we can't assume the tournament will be clear, but the committee believes it will be reasonably drug-free."
The committee had also discussed other areas that affected players, he said.
It had in the past had been responsible for the introduction of shin guards, banning tackles from behind, and introducing measures to counteract the effects of playing in extremely hot conditions.
The committee's latest recommendation to FIFA, which has now been accepted, was that any player who deliberately uses an elbow in a tackle should be sent off.
Drug testing to include asthma meds
By Ted Simmons
May 11, 2006
ASTHMA medication will come under the drug-testing routine for the first time at the World Cup finals in Germany next month.
Players with asthma will be permitted to use their medication but the FIFA medical officers will have to be advised before matches.
"The last two World Cups have been drug-free and we intend to keep the tournament totally without drugs," Dr Siri Kannangara, the Australian representative on the FIFA medical committee, said.
"Special tests have been devised to determine true asthma, and affected players will now be checked. (At) previous tournaments … checking was not carried out.
"There is a stimulant in asthma medicine and the medical committee wants to ensure it is not incorrectly used."
Dr Kannangara, a medical officer to Australia's football teams for 20 years, attended a recent meeting of the FIFA committee in Zurich to discuss the drug program and other areas.
The committee was constantly adding new drugs to the list, as well as new procedures to detect illegal substances, he said..
"We want a level playing field for everyone, and not having certain players gaining an advantage," Dr Kannangara said.
"Drugs are harmful to health, and trying to build muscle by using anabolic steroids can be really dangerous.
"There will be 12 doctors on duty at the World Cup, with two players random-tested from each team at every match. We'll be looking for every type of drug: social, anabolic steroids and others.
"At the last World Cup, we blood-tested for EPO for the first time, but the system has now been improved whereby it can be detected through urine analysis.
"We have fine-tuned our system and believe it is watertight. Every player will have to submit a list of his medicines to the team doctor, who will pass it to the FIFA medical officer.
"If a player forgets, he could face a two-year suspension.
"Because of soccer's track record, we can't assume the tournament will be clear, but the committee believes it will be reasonably drug-free."
The committee had also discussed other areas that affected players, he said.
It had in the past had been responsible for the introduction of shin guards, banning tackles from behind, and introducing measures to counteract the effects of playing in extremely hot conditions.
The committee's latest recommendation to FIFA, which has now been accepted, was that any player who deliberately uses an elbow in a tackle should be sent off.