UEFA introduces anti-doping programme
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-09-17 10:20

 UEFA will enforce a new anti-doping programme at all levels in and out of competition, a meeting of the European soccer body's executive committee decided on Thursday.

 "We decided to start an anti-doping programme and this means that we will increase the quantity and frequency of doping tests in competitions and also outside competitions," UEFA chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson said.

 Olsson told reporters at the end of the two-day meeting that tests will be taken in women's and youth soccer as well, in line with world body FIFA and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regulations.

 He said from the beginning of next year UEFA would establish a separate unit within the body responsible for testing.

 The meeting also dealt with several matters concerning the Euro 2008 finals being jointly organised by Switzerland and Austria and in particular the failure by the city of Zurich to obtain permission to rebuild the Hardturm stadium.

 "The Executive Committee decided to set a deadline for the Swiss authorities to come up with concrete proposals with how these matters will be solved by the end of this year," Olssen said.

 UEFA also expressed concern over the quality of refereeing, especially during the Olympic soccer tournament at last month's Athens Games, and considered steps to improve it.

 "All associations in Europe are prepared to invite or take care of referees nominated by the other confederations, for example, to let them referee in Europe and give them an opportunity of getting more experience," Olssen said.

 In a show of sympathy for the families of the victims of the Beslan hostage siege earlier this month in Russia in which more than 360 people, half of them children, were killed, UEFA will donate two mini-pitches to the school in North Ossetia. 

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