Drugs survey dismissed by soccer chief

PLAYERS’ chief Gordon Taylor sees no reason to panic after a study revealed nearly half the professionals in England believe football has a drug problem.

A survey of 700 players for tonight’s ‘Real Story’ programme on BBC 1 showed that 46% of professionals are aware of a colleague using recreational drugs. The same number also believe the sport is facing a substance-abuse problem.

But the Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive cautioned against reading too much into those players’ opinions, believing instead that sufficient systems are in place to contain any problem.