23 Mar 2009Fifa to write second letter over Wada regulations

Football Leagues/ Association and Governance

Fifa reiterated its stance on Friday (March 20th) that the World Anti-Doping Agency's (Wada) new drugs testing guidelines should be adapted for football.

World football's governing body has stated that players should not be subject to tests outside regular tournaments, while it also believes the new 'whereabouts' code should be eased.

Wada president John Fahey rejected the suggested alterations last month, but following Fifa's latest executive meeting, president Sepp Blatter revealed that he will be writing a second letter to the body.

He said: "We're surprised that through certain statements there won't be exceptions whatever the sport. The team sports are in total agreement.

"It's not a question of not fighting doping, but one should not have a witchhunt."

Under Wada regulations, athletes must supply details of their location for an hour a day - whether during the season or the off-season - so that testers can show up unannounced if necessary.

However, Fifa has proposed a system whereby testers are able to visit clubs six days a week only between the start and the end of the season "so that the privacy of players can be respected".

Last month, Fahey expressed his opposition to the suggestions, claiming that "you cannot have a time when you are clean and a time when you are not".

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