Berlin – FIFA’s chief medical official expects the World Cup to be drug-free.
Soccer’s governing body conducted more than 125 tests in 24 international friendlies and all 32 training camps before the tournament started Friday, and tested two players from each team in the opening matches.
So far there have been no positives, Dr. Jiri Dvorak said Sunday, confirming that some of the sport’s biggest stars had been tested.
Dvorak demonstrated FIFA’s doping test procedures in detail at a news conference, saying he wanted to show the system was thorough.
“We want to prove there’s no problem with doping or testing in football,” he said. “I get sick of being criticized for something I think we do much better than most” other sports.
Soccer last week became the last of 28 Olympic sports to sign up for the World Anti-Doping Agency’s code, ending months of debate over whether FIFA should agree to the globally recognized minimum two-year ban for first offenses.
Age has few limits
Still at the heart of Tunisia’s stingy defense, Ali Boumnijel is the oldest player at the World Cup. The 40-year-old goalkeeper will be the fifth-oldest player in World Cup history if he lines up Wednesday against Saudi Arabia in Munich.
There seems little doubt he will start in the all-Arab matchup considered critical to Tunisia’s goal of making the second round for the first time in four attempts. Tunisia also faces Spain and Ukraine in Group H.
English dispute access to water
England wants FIFA to allow players more access to water during matches.
England players were waved away from getting water at the sideline by game officials during their 1-0 win over Paraguay on Saturday in Frankfurt, Germany.
The match was played in sunny temperatures of 86 degrees, and the English players admitted they wilted in the heat.
“There was a couple of times when you went over to the touchline to try and get a drink, and for some reason they didn’t want us to,” midfielder Joe Cole said. “I don’t know too much about that, but I think it’s important in those conditions to be drinking regularly and (the system) needs to work.”
England director of communications Adrian Bevington said the team’s medical staff was concerned about the players’ water intake.
England went through 148 pints of water during the match when it normally goes through 42. He added that players who completed the whole match lost between 5 and 10 pounds.
“I spoke to our medical staff last night and we’re certainly going to make some kind of communication with FIFA, (but) not a complaint,” Bevington said Sunday.
