World Cup: FIFA to test for banned drug EPO

FIFA will test for the banned drug EPO at the World Cup as they intensify efforts to crack down on doping in football.

Dr Michel D’Hooghe, chairman of FIFA’s sports medical committee, believes doping specialists have moved into football from cycling, attracted by the cash-rich sport.

EPO is an agent which causes an increase in red blood cells and therefore improves the body’s ability to carry oxygen, and cyclists and athletes have been caught using it.

At last summer’s World Athletics Championships, Britain’s Paula Radcliffe protested with a banner saying ‘EPO drugs cheat out,’ after Russian runner Olga Yegorova was allowed to compete despite a urine test having found EPO.

D’Hooghe said: ‘‘I can inform you that we will be testing for EPO during the next World Cup.

‘‘I don’t see why football should be given special protection. I know that certain doping specialists have moved over from cycling to our sport because of the money it attracts, and when these things happen, we need to talk about it.’’