WADA ´to test FIFA´s anti-doping approach´

World football’s governing body FIFA claimed on Wednesday that the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has agreed to test FIFA’s approach to out-of-competition drugs testing until 2010.

The announcement followed a meeting between FIFA and WADA officials on Monday and a rift between the two bodies over new provisions introduced this year to locate elite athletes for drugs testing.

FIFA has rejected the ‘whereabouts rule’ that allows random testing by anti-doping specialists 365 days a year, arguing that footballers should only be tested when they are with their teams and not during their time off.

“The current FIFA Anti-Doping Regulations have been understood by WADA and will now be tested in practice, prior to reassessment for 2010,” FIFA said in a statement.

“For all sports federations, this year is a period of evolution in the fight against doping, and it will be the practical implementation which is important now that new rules are in place,” the statement added.

WADA could not be contacted immediately for its reaction to the meeting in Zurich between senior FIFA medical officials and WADA Director General David Howman.

World anti-doping chief John Fahey last month accused FIFA and European football governing body UEFA of ignoring reality after they formally rejected the rules on out-of-competition drugs testing of individual footballers.

The 2009 world anti doping code already includes special provisions for team sports, by allowing them to submit the location of their players collectively.