World Cup 'free of drugs'

The World Cup has been declared clean from drugs so far after no positive tests were found in the first 17 days of the tournament.

The results of 204 samples have been returned as negative by the medical team of football’s world governing body.

Only one sample was treated as ‘‘suspicious’’ after a higher than usual blood count, but this was later given the all-clear after further tests.

While positive tests are prominent at other big sporting events, the World Cup has escaped drugs scandals.

World Cup chief medical officer Jiri Dvorak said: ‘‘We are starting to harvest fruits of long term educational programmes.

‘‘Most of the teams have tested the food supplements they have given the players so they know exactly what they are given out.

‘‘Also for FIFA it is much easier to educate, there is one sport, one family and one approach.

‘‘In the Olympics, there are many sports and many approaches.’’