SUMMARY
- Soccer players face severe consequences, including career-ending bans, for using performance-enhancing drugs.
- Drug testing is conducted by national soccer associations and anti-doping agencies during domestic competitions, while FIFA and WADA oversee testing in international tournaments.
Doping allegations have disrupted the soccer world multiple times. Many high-level soccer players have come under the ambit of anti-doping investigation. Consuming performance-enhancing drugs can be useful for the players in the short run.
It could increase the stamina and strength of the soccer players, allowing them to play soccer for longer periods. However, once proven guilty of using drugs, the careers of those soccer players effectively come to a cruel end.
Important notice to athletes, entourage and all stakeholders 📣
The 2024 Prohibited List and Monitoring Program take effect on January 1st!
We invite stakeholders, especially athletes and entourage, to read our latest news to understand the changes, their responsibilities, and… pic.twitter.com/Ny9qqMsjHW
— WADA (@wada_ama) December 18, 2023
The International Olympic Association has meticulously defined doping. The IOC booklet on anti-doping contains various articles that define doping as “Doping is defined as the occurrence of one or more of the anti-doping rule violations outlined in Article 2.1 through Article 2.11 of these Rules.
Considering the emotional and physical side-effects of doping on soccer players, FIFA has banned the use of performance-enhancing drugs in the beautiful game. Players are often motivated by some miscreants around them to use banned substances to enhance their performance. This is very horrifying considering its effects, especially on the minds of young aspiring soccer players.
The Anti-Doping Agency in Spain have been investigated by Relevo, and have been found to have flaunted various processes in order to avoid sanctioning athletes.
Thus far, there is no evidence of footballers’ positive tests being overlooked. pic.twitter.com/SctT6sn9jv
— Football España (@footballespana_) December 28, 2023
Soccer is moving at a rapid pace. And with it, the competition to become a professional soccer player has also increased considerably. This might force the players to take drugs to improve their performances. Early heart attacks, liver tumors, depression, etc. often overshadow the advantages of using these drugs.
FIFA has been active in recognizing these ill effects. It strictly mandates a ban on any kind of performance-enhancing drugs and regularly drug tests soccer players. Failing this, the players might serve a ban from playing professional soccer for several months. In extremely severe cases, the players’ soccer careers can also come to an end for good.
Who drug tests soccer players?
The soccer associations in every soccer-playing nation are responsible for conducting drug tests on soccer players during domestic competitions. For example, the Football Association, the highest governing body of English soccer is responsible for conducting drug tests in Premier League and other related tournaments.
The soccer associations in this case are aided by their respective country’s drug testing agencies. Each country has a designated National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA). NADA’s aims include promoting, controlling, and monitoring the doping control measures in the country.
Fédération Internationale de Football (FIFA) is also accredited for testing soccer players in the various FIFA tournaments. World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) sets the standards for anti-doping measures and works with various stakeholders such as FIFA to ensure compliance with these standards. WADA also oversees the functioning of the various National Anti-Doping Associations.
Famous soccer players who failed drug tests
1)Paul Pogba
The French soccer player had a forgettable return to Italian giants Juventus. Injuries and disciplinary issues plagued Pogba’s second stint at Juve. The French midfielder only played 161 minutes for the ‘Bianconeri’ in the 22/23 season before getting injured for the rest of the season. Paul Pogba then returned to action in the subsequent season, but a doping allegation ruined his season.
🚨 The anti-doping prosecution has requested a four-year ban from football for Paul Pogba following his positive drugs test!
(Source: @Gazzetta_it) pic.twitter.com/ax7fd4u8nY
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) December 7, 2023
Paul Pogba’s test samples included testosterone, a hormone that enhances performance in athletes. His tests were conducted in the aftermath of Juventus’ 3-0 win over Serie-A side Udinese. Subsequently, Italy’s anti-doping agency NADO Italia provisionally banned Paul Pogba from professional soccer. The agency also requested a 4-year ban for the former Manchester United player.
2)Diego Maradona
The Argentine player was a notorious character during his playing year. From in-field altercations to leading a very extravagant life, Diego Maradona was known for all the wrong reasons. The late Argentine player had faced a 15-month suspension from soccer in 1991 for usage of cocaine.
Diego Maradona’s Argentine career came to an abrupt end when he was tested for doping after his nation’s match against Nigeria in the 1994 WC. The former FC Barcelona player tested positive for Ephedrine. It is a medicine used to clear the respiratory tract, but it can also enhance performance in an athlete.
Diego Maradona in front of the press following his failed drug test at the 1994 World Cup. pic.twitter.com/5K27ZgOwH8
— 90s Football (@90sfootball) November 30, 2015
FIFA officials later clarified that Maradona must have taken a host of other drugs. Michel d’Hooghe is a doctor and a member of FIFA’s executive committee. commented on this issue (via The New York Times), “Maradona must have taken a cocktail of drugs because the five identified substances are not found in one medicine,”
The five drugs found in Maradona’s test samples as mentioned by FIFA include ephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, pseudo-ephedrine, non-pseudo-ephedrine, and methyl ephedrine. The Napoli icon was subsequently sent home.
3) Samir Nasri
The Frenchman was banned for 18 months in 2018 for a “prohibitive method” that goes against the code of UEFA and World Anti-Doping Code’s rules. The player at the time was on loan at Sevilla from Premier League side Manchester City.
Samir Nasri and Drip Doctors: a true love story pic.twitter.com/LvEr7AFfQm
— Aaron West (@oeste) December 27, 2016
The former Arsenal player reportedly received medication from Drip Doctors, a New York-based clinic. The company posted a picture on its social media accounts. This prompted UEFA to open a preliminary investigation on the matter in 2017. The ban initially intended for 6 months, was extended for a further 12 months.