Soccer: High costs block stringent soccer drugs tests

Fear of expensive legal suits from banned players is one possible reason why football’s world governing body FIFA have not accepted Olympic standards on drugs testing according to a leading anti-doping official.

But proposals to adopt a more stringent testing programme, such as the one in Italy that has caught out several star players, could have far-reaching consequences for players ion the Barclaycard Premiership.

Canadian Dick Pound, chairman of the World Anti-Doping Agency who were independent observers of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, will meet FIFA president Sepp Blatter in Montreal to discuss football adopting a new testing procedure for next summer’s World Cup Finals in Japan and South Korea.

The long-term result could be more regular testing of the British game, like in Italy where Juventus’ Edgar Davids and Lazio’s Fernando Couto and Jaap Stam have tested positive for nandrolone.

Pound said: ‘‘There’s no philosophical difference between us and FIFA. The big issue is the fight against doping in sport.

‘‘It’s their concern that, on the basis of a WADA test, they may have to suspend a player for two years.

‘‘A player earning £5m a year might take recourse to the courts in his own country and this could expose FIFA to major losses.

‘‘We hope FIFA will invite WADA to the World Cup, it will be important for the integrity of the competition.’’

The move would be welcomed by Middlesbrough’s Italian defender Gianluca Festa, who said: ‘‘In my five years in England, I have been tested just twice, yet in Italy players are tested in every Serie A game. There is no escape.’’