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Team doctors for all 24 teams set to compete at UEFA EURO 2024 have signed UEFA’s UEFA EURO 2024 anti-doping charter, committing to a clean and safe tournament for all participants.
The document was signed on Tuesday at the EURO 2024 finalists’ workshop in Düsseldorf, which brought together representatives from competing national associations to discuss topics such as refereeing, disciplinary measures, technical analysis, sustainability, and match organisation.
By signing the document, the doctors pledge to not use any banned substances or methods without valid justification, to comply with all other anti-doping regulations, and take part in UEFA’s robust testing programme.
They also agree to take all necessary steps to educate players and staff on anti-doping, and to use their position of influence to impact player behaviour and anti-doping attitudes within the team.
World-leading anti-doping programme for UEFA EURO 2024
UEFA has established a comprehensive anti-doping programme for EURO 2024 to ensure a clean, safe and fair tournament for all teams and players.
The programme incorporates in-competition testing, taking place immediately after every match, and out-of-competition testing at team facilities such as training grounds and hotels.
Every player taking part in UEFA EURO 2024 is eligible for doping control, either being drawn randomly or selected for testing. Both blood and urine samples may be taken and are then analysed at laboratories accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
UEFA’s mission is to keep football clean and this anti-doping programme for EURO 2024 builds on its reputation as a world leader in the fight against doping in sport.
How will anti-doping testing take place at UEFA EURO 2024?
In-competition testing for UEFA EURO 2024 will be conducted exclusively during the tournament period of 14 June to 14 July. Anti-doping control will take place following all 51 matches during the tournament.
Any player that is named on the match sheet, including substitutes, is eligible for testing. At least two starting players and two reserves from each team will be selected or drawn after every game, and additional players may also be chosen.
All samples will be tested at a WADA-accredited lab and teams will be informed of results within a maximum of 48 hours. Samples will also be stored for up to ten years for possible re-testing.
How does out-of-competition testing work at UEFA EURO 2024?
To be effective, UEFA’s EURO 2024 anti-doping programme starts before the tournament, with players from all 24 teams taking part in testing in the build-up.
This is only possible due to close collaboration with the national anti-doping organisations in each participating country and world football governing body FIFA, ensuring an intelligent, balanced testing programme across every team.
Out-of-competition testing can be conducted on any day and at any time, with the UEFA Whereabouts application giving teams a simple way of registering whereabouts information for all players.
Another key part of the UEFA EURO 2024 anti-doping programme is the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP), which monitors markers in players’ blood and urine over time. Every player at the tournament will have their ABP analysed by scientific experts before the tournament and after every test.
Anti-doping education for all
Educating players and coaches on anti-doping is essential to maintain a clean sport and keep football safe for all. The UEFA EURO 2024 anti-doping programme provides all 24 teams with advice and key information to educate players in the run-up to the tournament.
Educational resources provided by UEFA include information on players’ rights and responsibilities under the anti-doping code, violations and consequences of doping, prohibited substances, and the testing procedures that will be in place during EURO 2024.
It’s important that anti-doping education begins as early as possible, which is why UEFA has now made education sessions mandatory for all Under-17 and Under-19 men’s and women’s players before they play in UEFA international youth competitions.
The latest edition of the UEFA HatTrick programme, which will redistribute EURO 2024 revenue back into the game at all levels, will provide up to €20,000 for each of the 55 National Associations to invest in anti-doping education and activities.
