If you’re playing in the World Cup, you’re going to get drug tested.
That’s the message from FIFA chief medical officer Jiri Dvorak to participants in this summer’s tournament in Brazil, and he says players could be tested as soon as the upcoming early March friendlies.
“We will test all teams and all players between the first of March and the kick off, unannounced, at least once,” Dvorak said.
“From now on every player competing in the FIFA World Cup Brazil could be tested at least once, at any time, in any part of the world.”
FIFA has a massive crew for the fight against doping, so it’s no surprise to see them take such a vocal stance and thorough approach to testing.
Dvorak also said that FIFA is not overly-concerned with the potential for extreme heat during the Brazil tournament. He says officials will decide whether in-game water breaks will be needed before each individual match kicks off.
“We don’t think the conditions in Brazil will be as difficult as people are saying,” he said. “We can introduce extra water breaks and provide players with cold towels where necessary, but that’s a medical decision that will be judged on a case by case basis, before each game, by our team of health professionals.”
