Malaysia's football association to conduct random drug tests

Malaysian player Azlan Ismail is tackled by a Thailands player during the 23rd Southeast Asean games in Bacolod City, in November 2005. The Football Association of Malaysia said it will conduct random drug tests and require new players to be tested before being registered, in a crackdown on narcotics use.

The Football Association of Malaysia said it will conduct random drug tests and require new players to be tested before being registered, in a crackdown on narcotics use.

FAM competition committee chairman Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar said drug tests had only been conducted during the finals of Malaysian football league competitions, but that was set to change.

"In the past, dope tests were done during finals of the (competitions) but we may now conduct such tests frequently during league matches as well," Raja Ahmad was quoted as saying by the state Bernama news agency on Tuesday.

New players will also have to undergo drug testing before being registered, he said.

"The new procedure may come into force as early as April when the second window for registration of players is open. New players will be required to undergo the compulsory (fitness test) and dope test," he added.

The decision comes amid local media reports that a unnamed prominent Malaysian footballer was detained over the weekend after allegedly testing positive for cannabis.