Blood samples of nearly 900 players who have participated in UEFA competitionssince 2008 will now be checked for steroids.
UEFA Executive Committee under its anti-doping initiatives has launched a research studyin order to retrospectively measure the steroid profiles of the nearly 900 players.
The aim of this study will be to identify the potential prevalence of steroid use across European football by using data from previous doping controls.
The study will be collective and anonymous and its findings would thus not result in any player incurring an anti-doping rule violation.
Based on the study’s results, a steroids biological profiling passport programme may be considered for future implementation within the UEFA anti-doping programme.
The UEFA Executive Committee decided to introduce some blood tests in UEFA competitions as of the 2013/14 season, in addition to the standard urine tests.
Until now, blood tests were only conducted at the final tournament of the UEFA European Football championship.
Football players or referee found making racial taunts will now face a minimum 10-match ban.
The new disciplinary regulations cleared by the UEFA executive committee in London has taken a strong stand against racist conduct in the latest edition of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, which will come into force on 1 June 2013.
If spectators are found making racial comments or chanting racist slogans, it will result in a partial stadium closure for the first offence and a full stadium closure for the second such offence coupled with a 50,000 fine.
The minimum ban for insulting match officials has been increased from two to three matches, and assault on match officials will now result in a minimum 15-match ban (previously 10-match ban).
UEFA disciplinary bodies have been granted additional powers allowing them to take action should a UEFA member association fail to punish, or punish in an inappropriate manner, offences harming the essence of football and notably offences of match-fixing, corruption and doping.
The committee took the decision at its meeting in London ahead of the UEFA Congress on Friday.
The new UEFA Disciplinary Regulations notably include tougher sanctions to efficiently fight against racist behaviour at football matches, in line with UEFA’s zero-tolerance policy, which was also underlined by a resolution adopted by the Professional Football Strategy Council on 27 March 2013 in Sofia.
[TimesofIndia]