by Barry the bird boggler »
13 Sep 2011 09:24
Anyone catch the C4 documentary last night. Came across as showing the FA could certainly do more in tightening up their approach on drug taking, most notably by performing more tests.
The FA argue that the most effective testing is that conducted at the "training ground" although tests can be carried out abroad and at players home addresses as this is more likely to catch out players off guard. They also say that any 1st offence caught by this method carries a ban of up to 6 months (such an offence is actually not part of the WADA code) and privately the player is subjected to counselling and rehabilitation processes and will also be specifically targetted for further tests over the next 2 years.
They also say that clubs and players are subject to strict "whereabouts" rules which presumably covers players being "awol" when the testers are in town.