Davids and Couto banned all over the world

FIFA have banned Edgar Davids and Fernando Couto after the payers failed dope tests.

The pair were named in their national team squads for 202 World Cup qualifiers this week but the ban from FIFA has immediate effect.

Both players have already been banned by the Italian league and federation

FIFA has yet decide on the case of another Dutch international, captain Frank De Boer, who has also tested positive for nandrolone.

A FIFA statement read:

"Both players have been sanctioned by the competent Italian bodies for having tested positive for a substance prohibited under the applicable regulations. "

"Under the current FIFA regulations, a player who is suspended for having breached a compulsory regulation is also prevented from playing in other associations for the duration of his suspension. Furthermore, an extension of this suspension to national teams' competitions is decided on a case-by-case basis if the infringement committed is considered as being particularly serious. "

"Regarding the infringement committed by the players Davids and Couto, FIFA is confronted with a confirmed doping situation. "

"Doping is an illegal way of enhancing performance and is a total anathema to the concept of fair play and football ethics. "

"As such it is without doubt a particularly serious offence and it is therefore unquestionable that players found guilty of doping should be prevented from playing not only in the competition in wich they were convicted of doping but also in all other football competitions."

FC Barcelona expect central defender Frank de Boer to banned for at least a year by the Spanish FA after his dope test failure was confirmed earlier this week.

The Holland captain's A-sample produced a result of 8.6 milligrams per litre of blood which is over four times the permitted level. on a sample taken after a UEFA Cup game in March against Celta Vigo and the B-test was confirmed as showing a similar result.

A UEFA disciplinary committee meeting on June 14th could ban the 30 year old signed from Ajax in 1999 for up to two years but uintil then he is free to play and he is included in the Dutch national team squad for a 2002 World Cup qualifier on June 2nd.

The de Boer case developments are the lastest in a succession of drug stories in Europe this season.

Italy's Serie A has seen two players produce 'non-negative' drug test results after Bari's game with Parma AC last month including Parma defender Stefano Torissi.

Two Perugia stars were banned for two years earlier this season and SS Lazio defender Fernando Couto was banned indefinitely and faces long term punishment after failing dope tests earlier this year and Juventus midfielder Edgar Davids is banned for sxteen months after testing 'non-negative' two months ago for nandrolone.

Davids and de Boer's case has seen the KNVB look at recent diet supplements given to their players but today the Dutch authorities said that they were not to blame for the nandrolone tests after an independent test.