Has FIFA finally decided to tackle the problem of doping head on? All 2014 World Cup players will be monitored longitudinally with a biological passport. Better: urine and blood checks will be possible from March 1. The International Football Federation announced it this Saturday during a press conference in Sao Paulo. This is the first time that longitudinal monitoring has been implemented for a World Cup. Blood and urine samples will be analyzed in Lausanne and their results stored in each player’s “biological passports”. Some 2000 players who could be selected for the World Cup have been identified by FIFA.
— Published February 15, 2014
