UEFA anti-doping procedure changes

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has issued a new World Anti-Doping Code and new International Standards, which come into effect on 1 January 2009. As a result the UEFA Anti-Doping Regulations have to change in order to comply with the Code. This has resulted in several changes in Anti-Doping procedure which are outlined below.

2009 Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) procedure
As from 1 January 2009, Abbreviated TUEs will no longer exist. The therapeutic use of Beta-2 Agonists (i.e. asthma medications like salbutamol, salmeterol and formoterol) will require a Standard TUE. Application forms must be accompanied by a full medical file as stipulated in Annex 1 of the WADA 2009 International Standard for TUE.

It is important to note that existing Abbreviated TUEs for beta-2 agonists shall remain valid after 1 January 2009 until either:
i) 31 December 2009, or
ii) their expiry date as stated on the abbreviated TUE (often 31 May 2009 for ATUEs issued by UEFA)

All Standard TUE applications are referred to the UEFA TUE Committee (TUEC). In line with the WADA 2009 International Standard for TUE, the TUEC can take up to 30 days from the receipt of all relevant documentation to decide whether to accept the TUE application.

Declaration of Use procedure
The non-systemic use (intraarticular, periarticular, peritendinous, epidural, intradermal injections and inhaled routes) of glucocorticosteroids no longer requires a TUE. However, any use of them in the previous three months must be declared on the D3 Declaration of Medication form during a doping control. Failure to declare may lead to disciplinary action in the event of an adverse analytical finding (positive result).

Changes to doping control procedure
The minimum volume of urine required is now 90ml. This will be divided between the A bottle (60ml) and the B bottle (30ml).
There is also a requirement that the urine sample reaches a suitable specific gravity (S/G) for analysis as defined in the WADA International Standard for Testing. If the urine sample does not reach the suitable S/G, the player will be required to provide further samples until the suitable S/G is reached.

Further information
The UEFA 2009 Anti-Doping Regulations, the 2009 List of Prohibited Substances, the Prohibited List Q&As, and the TUE Q&As are available on our anti-doping website. A circular letter explaining the changes will be sent to all national associations and clubs in January.

Further information can also be found on WADA's website at http://www.wada-ama.org/en/