How Common Is Doping In Soccer/Football?

Doping isn’t a big deal in soccer, at least not based on the limited evidence.

There haven’t been many cases where players are caught using anabolic steroids or growth hormones. Out of all the cases, only 7 professional soccer players have been proven to use these substances to amp up their performance.

Nandrolene, a popular steroid that kicks up testosterone production, has been the go-to for most of these cases.

Soccer, like other major team sports, does have its share of recreational drug use. Take Diego Maradona, for example. He got slapped with a ban in 1990-91 for using cocaine during a match.

Then, three years later, he got banned again for using ephedrine in the 1994 FIFA World Cup.

In the soccer world, the use of performance-enhancing drugs, “doping,” seems to be on the low side.

But what does doping in soccer really mean?

And when players do get caught using these performance boosters, what kind of punishment are they looking at?  Let’s take a look at it.

What Is Doping In Soccer?

Doping in soccer means using banned substances to boost performance, like getting extra stamina or strength. It’s all about gaining an advantage during crucial moments, whether it’s extra time or sprinting in key matches.

Common forms of doping in soccer include anabolic steroids and human growth hormone treatments, either injected or taken as pills.

Then there’s androstenedione, revving up testosterone, and blood doping, which increases red blood cell count for improved stamina.

While some countries allow these substances under strict conditions, most professional sports and competitions strictly prohibit them.

If you’re caught doping in soccer, brace yourself—it could mean permanent expulsion from the team or a lengthy suspension, putting all future sports opportunities in jeopardy.

The International Olympic Committee defines doping as intentionally or unintentionally using substances and methods on their prohibited list. So, whether you meant it or not, if you’re breaking the rules, you’re in the doping zone, and consequences are likely to follow.

As per reports from FIFA, there are 65,000 professional male and female soccer players in the world and in 2014, according to the world governing body FIFA, 31,242 doping tests were carried out worldwide, with 61 samples (0.20%) testing positive.

By way of comparison, at the 2012 Olympic Games, there were nine positive doping tests out of just over 5,000 tests (0.18%) though the International Olympic Committee recently announced that 23 competitors at the London Games have failed retrospective doping tests.

How Does Doping Work?

Doping is the use of banned substances or methods to boost athletic performance, and its specific mechanisms vary based on the type of doping agent employed.

Here are some common ways in which doping operates:

Anabolic Steroids: These substances imitate testosterone, a natural hormone fostering muscle growth. By artificially elevating hormone levels, anabolic steroids enhance muscle mass, strength, and overall athletic performance.

Stimulants: Examples like amphetamines or ephedrine heighten alertness, diminish fatigue, and bolster endurance. Athletes might use them to stay focused, intensify training, or compete with elevated energy levels.

Blood Doping: This technique boosts red blood cell count, enhancing oxygen delivery to muscles. Methods include blood transfusions or using erythropoietin (EPO), a hormone stimulating red blood cell production.

Hormones and Growth Factors: Substances such as human growth hormone (HGH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) stimulate muscle and bone growth, aiding in strength and recovery enhancement.

Beta-Blockers: These drugs mitigate anxiety and tremors, potentially benefiting sports requiring precision, like shooting or archery.

Masking Agents: Some athletes use substances to conceal banned drugs during testing, interfering with the detection of doping substances.

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What Measures Does FIFA Enact In Response To Doping?

FIFA takes doping seriously, and they’ve got a whole system in place for dealing with it.

When players get caught using performance-enhancing drugs, FIFA can hit them with a ban from the sport. The length of the ban varies, going from a few months to a lifetime, depending on how severe the case is.

If a player unintentionally uses banned substances, they might get a ban of up to two years. But if they knowingly went for the illegal stuff, they could be looking at a whopping four-year ban.

Now, FIFA has this concept called ‘intentionality.’

It’s when players are intentionally trying to get ahead by using substances to boost their performance. If players are involved in trafficking or distributing illegal doping substances, the football governing body can drop the hammer with a lifetime ban.

That’s the highest level of punishment, usually reserved for serious offenses like being a supplier of doping materials.

It’s not just about doping, though. Players can get banned for other things too:

1. Missing doping tests, but there’s a cap at three times.
2. Having or spreading banned substances.
3. Team up with others or push them to break the anti-doping rules.
4. Say no to a control.
5. Not being around when doping control officers come for a check.
6. Not following what doping control officers say during the testing process.

So, it’s not just a drug issue. If players mess up on any of these 6 fronts, FIFA can drop the ban hammer on them.

The bans are like a ladder, starting with a few months for the smaller infractions, going up to two years for medium ones, and hitting the peak at four years for significant, intentional violations.

Lifetime bans are reserved for heavy-duty ones, like being involved in trafficking or being a supplier of doping materials.

The whole point of these bans is fairness. FIFA wants players to play by the rules, and if they don’t, there are consequences. It’s like a warning sign saying, “Play fair, or you’ll face the music.”

Which Soccer Players Have Been Accused Of Doping?

Sometimes, you hear about pro soccer players or even an entire team using a drug to up their game.

These cases involve accusations or proven instances that lead to penalties. It’s important to know that the use of illegal substances isn’t reported as often as other steroids made with the goal of improving physical performance.

These incidents, whether accused or proven, stand out because they’re not an everyday thing.

One big case of substance use in recent football history is Diego Maradona at the 1994 World Cup in the United States. The former Argentina player got the boot after just two matches when he tested positive for five types of ephedrine, a banned stimulant.

Maradona’s celebration after scoring against Greece became infamous. Instead of cheers, he ran toward a sideline camera, shouting with a distorted face and bulging eye. That moment turned out to be the end of his run in the tournament.

Maradona said he wasn’t taking illegal stuff. He claimed his personal trainer gave him Rip Fuel, a power drink, and that messed up the drug test results. Despite his denial, he was slammed heavily.

FAQs

What was Paul Pogba suspended for?

Doping

What substance did Pogba use?

DHEA

Dehydroepiandrosterone, a banned substance that naturally boosts testosterone production was found in Pogba’s blood.

Why did Pogba get tested for?

Pogba was suspended after a test conducted by Italy’s national anti-doping organization (NADO Italia) detected testosterone, a hormone that increases athletes’ endurance. The test was performed after Juve’s 3-0 Serie A season-opening victory at Udinese on Aug 20.

How long is Paul Pogba’s suspension?

If found guilty of doping, Pogba could be suspended for between two and four years.

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