Random dope tests on the way before Euro 2000

FIFA and UEFA confirmed a joint plan yesterday that will see out of competition dope testing used randomly in football from now on.

The scheme will be introduced in Europe in the spring - three months before the Euro 2000 finals - and be adopted in the rest of the world by the end of next year.

FIFA medical directors said the intention was to dope test the Euro 2000 finalists in the month before the competition began for stimulants and steroid substances that could help players to recover from injury and increase stamina. The tests will be urine-based and in common with other world sporting bodies there will be no blood testing due to legal complications. Blood testing would in theory be much more accurate and catch substance abuse far quicker than any urine testing.

The countries put into the draw for the finals in December will have to submit to the plans.