Clean football built into the system across Europe

Across Europe, our anti-doping education work continues to help the people who need it most.

With support from UEFA HatTrick funding, all 55 European national football associations delivered anti-doping education activities last season, working with national anti-doping organisations to reach players and the staff around them. In total, an estimated 23,000 players and 5,000 player support personnel received education during 2025/26.

A key step forward was the introduction of a new anti-doping education requirement within the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Sustainability Regulations. This makes education a regular part of club football across Europe, rather than something players encounter only when they enter UEFA competitions.

Anti-doping has also been embedded into the UEFA Coaching Convention, ensuring increased understanding throughout coach education pathways. By reaching both clubs and coaches, we aim to create an environment where clean sport values are reinforced daily, both on and off the pitch.

We are also investing in the people who deliver anti-doping education. In 2025/26, we developed and successfully piloted a new anti-doping educator course with 17 participants from national associations and anti-doping organisations. Supported by webinars, an in-person workshop and 12 dedicated e-learning modules, the course will help educators deliver clear, practical and engaging sessions. Following the successful pilot, the first official edition will take place during the 2026/27 season.

"Protecting against doping starts long before a test takes place. By embedding education into the structures that surround players every day, we can help prevent issues before they arise and promote a culture of clean sport throughout Europe," said UEFA chief medical officer Zoran Bahtijarević. "Well-trained educators are central to this approach, turning anti-doping requirements into meaningful learning experiences that help players and support staff make informed decisions."

We have also developed a wider set of football-specific educational materials, including an educator handbook, twelve ready-to-use presentations covering mandatory anti-doping topics, dedicated presentations for coaches and an updated testing procedure video.

Testing remains a vital part of our work to protect the integrity of European football. During the 2025/26 season, we collected 3,643 blood and urine samples through in- and out-of-competition testing.

The testing programme is delivered by a network of 61 UEFA Doping Control Officers (DCOs) from 28 countries. We are one of the few sports organisations to rely exclusively on qualified medical doctors as DCOs, helping ensure that testing is carried out professionally, consistently and with respect for player welfare, privacy and dignity.

"Our role is not only to collect samples but also to ensure that every player is treated with professionalism, respect and care," said Dr Martin Meleck, UEFA DCO. "With better education, players often feel more comfortable during this sensitive process, while team doctors value being able to discuss medical questions with a fellow physician."

The season’s results also underlined the importance of a careful, medically informed system. Three adverse analytical findings were reported, involving methylphenidate, amphetamine and dorzolamide. In two of the cases, players had valid Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs), while the third received medication by a permitted route of administration, meaning no sanctions were required.

Looking ahead to the 2026/27 season, we will further modernise the systems that support our anti-doping operations, optimising our testing processes to ensure compliance with the 2027 WADA code, while further updates will support cutting-edge approaches such as dried blood spot testing.

Together, these measures show how UEFA is building clean football into the foundations of the European game: educating more people, supporting clubs and associations, protecting players through professional testing and preparing anti-doping systems for the future.