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UEFA doping control officers rise to the challenge

UEFA’s doping control officers (DCOs) have been praised for their crucial contribution to keeping football clean – and in doing so, protecting football’s integrity.

Seminar participants at the House of European Football in Nyon
Seminar participants at the House of European Football in Nyon UEFA via Getty Images

At their latest two-day UEFA seminar in Nyon, Switzerland, 57 DCOs from 28 countries reviewed a hectic and successful period when they had to overcome various hurdles presented by the pandemic – and looked forward to how their vital role within the European body will take on new dimensions in the future.

UEFA a leader of the anti-doping campaign

A refractometer measures the density of the urine – one of the final steps of a doping control
A refractometer measures the density of the urine – one of the final steps of a doping controlUEFA via Getty Images

UEFA is recognised as one of the world's leading team-sport organisations in the fight against doping, and the organisation continually strives to ensure that its education and testing programmes remain at the cutting edge of science and recognised good practice in all areas of prevention and detection.

UEFA's doping controls are all conducted by its own DCOs, a dedicated group of medical doctors from all four corners of Europe. New DCOs follow UEFA's in-depth training programme, while all DCOs undergo regular auditing to ensure a uniformly high standard of procedure.

UEFA's anti-doping head Marc Vouillamoz
UEFA's anti-doping head Marc VouillamozUEFA via Getty Images

Any player taking part in a UEFA competition may be required to undergo a doping control at any time. No advance information is given as to when controls will take place – they can either be in-competition (after a match) or out-of-competition (at a team training session, or even at players’ homes). Doping controls may include the collection of blood and urine, as well as screening for substances such as EPO and human growth hormone.

Successful 2021/22 season

The Nyon event was attended by 57 DCOs from 28 countries
The Nyon event was attended by 57 DCOs from 28 countriesUEFA via Getty Images

UEFA’s DCOs faced considerable challenges during the 2021/22 season. Forty-eight of them undertook missions across Europe, collecting 2,938 urine and blood samples across all UEFA competitions; visiting 172 cities, the DCOs tested 235 different teams in 17 different men’s and women’s competitions. Many teams and players have been tested on multiple occasions during the season

“You are a most important part of the UEFA team,” UEFA’s anti-doping head Marc Vouillamoz told the DCOs. “We have zero tolerance of doping in football, and your work in supporting our stance has been outstanding.”

“You undertook your missions despite the epidemiological situation in your county and in the countries you visited,” said Vouillamoz. “And this despite various travel restrictions in place … having to take PCR tests … and in the face of heavy workloads in your main jobs. We thank you for your commitment and availability.”

A comprehensive doping control programme is planned for the Women's EURO
A comprehensive doping control programme is planned for the Women's EUROJeff Moore via Greater London Authority

Women’s testing programme grows with competitions' development

New challenges are looming for UEFA’s female DCOs in the coming period. With the footballing highlight of the summer – UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 – kicking off on 6 July, UEFA has undertaken a comprehensive pre-tournament testing programme, and is planning to carry out doping controls at all the 31 matches that will be played in England. Ten DCOs have been appointed for duty at the event.

Out-of-competition controls began in February, as part of a programme coordinated between UEFA, FIFA and national anti-doping organisations (NADOs). This is the first time that Women’s EURO teams have been tested out-of-competition by UEFA.

Participants took part in practical sessions and briefings
Participants took part in practical sessions and briefings UEFA via Getty Images

Player education

The DCOs were briefed about the development of UEFA’s new anti-doping education strategy. Launched last year, the strategy provides for targeted funding to associations via the UEFA HatTrick programme, with the crucial aim of ensuring that players’ first experience with anti-doping is education, rather than a doping test.

In collaboration with their NADOs, this support enables UEFA’s 55 member associations to run education activities to help keep players clean and prevent intentional and unintentional doping. To receive funding, the associations must deliver education programmes that, among other objectives, raise awareness, inform, and instil values and positive attitudes towards clean sport.

The DCOs heard that funding applications from 53 UEFA member associations had been submitted and approved to date.

DCOs took an examination on content presented during the seminar.
DCOs took an examination on content presented during the seminar.UEFA via Getty Images

DCOs' training and recruitment

Training and recruiting DCOs remains a constant priority for UEFA. The European body received 60 applications in 2021/22, with 15 being selected for an interview.

Following a subsequent workshop, seven new DCOs reached the final shortlist, which requires them to complete two final steps: an observation mission and an evaluation mission at UEFA matches. Two candidates have so far come successfully through their missions and joined the UEFA DCO team, while the remaining five will join them if they successfully pass their forthcoming evaluation missions.

Participants at the Nyon seminar also took a practical test, splitting into groups of three and performing mock tests on each other, with the DCOs all playing the role of a DCO, DCO assessor and player within specific scenarios. The practical session was followed by an exam in which the DCOs answered questions focusing in particular on testing procedures.