Blatter against automatic doping bans
FIFA president Sepp Blatter appeared to categorically rule out automatic two-year bans for first drugs offences in football.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code has not yet been adopted by FIFA, despite the two bodies agreeing a “declaration of intent” last year.
The tough two-year penalty which WADA insists upon is a key element of the code, but Blatter believes it is unworkable in football, and said as much on the second and last day of FIFA’s Annual Congress in Marrakesh, Morocco.
“Under common law you cannot just have a system that says two years or, for that matter, 10 years. Every individual has the basic right to be judged according to the gravity of the offence committed,” he said.
Blatter insisted football was doing all it could to eradicate doping, citing the fact that it is testing more players than any other sport.
In recent months, WADA chairman Dick Pound has constantly expressed his frustration with FIFA for allegedly dragging their feet.
But in a veiled attack on Pound, Blatter told delegates at the 205-nation Congress: “How would you feel if your president was treated like a man who is not taking the fight against doping seriously? We are doing all we can, we cannot do any more.”
In an attempt to further align itself with WADA’s position, FIFA agreed to drop its automatic minimum six-month ban for first offenders, changing their statutes accordingly.
And for the first time, it gave WADA permission to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport if it disagreed with the length of any penalties FIFA imposes in the future.
Blatter also repeated his plea to Europe’s major clubs to stop overloading their squads with foreign signings and give more home-grown players a chance.
He insisted the situation had become so farcical that players were no longer communicating with each other because of so many diverse languages and cultures.
“We are seeing a loss of local, regional and national identity,” said Blatter.
“Let’s call a spade a spade. In the major European leagues they prefer to purchase ready-made players. They seem to be giving the impression they would like to play with 22 players instead of 11.”
Blatter has long favoured a return to the so-called “six plus five” scenario of six home-grown players and five foreigners.
Although he did not formally call for this to be re-established – it would in any case most likely fall foul of European laws on freedom on movement – he was clearly angry about the domination of the Premier League and other top leagues across the continent.
“Players don’t talk to each any more in the dressing room and do you know why?,” he asked.
“Because you have three Frenchmen, South Americans speaking Spanish and Portuguese, an Iranian and two Germans. It seems some people are giving up on the education of young players.”
As expected, the congress approved the establishment of a special task force to look into multi-ownership of clubs and corruption in the game.
The vote was virtually unanimous, with just one unnamed country refusing to back Blatter’s call for the unprecedented probe into a range of ills pervading the game, including suspect transfer dealings, political interference in footballing affairs and betting.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s business dealings seem certain to be included in the task force’s terms of reference following a spate of reports about the Russian billionaire’s footballing ambitions.
As well as his ownership of the Premier League champions, Abramovich’s oil company Sibneft is a major sponsor of the Russian club CSKA Moscow.
“Where there is smoke there is fire and we need to put out the fire,” Blatter said.
One contentious item was withdrawn at the last minute. The Swiss federation did not gain enough support for their proposal to lower the age which players could switch national allegiance from 21 to 18. It is understood African countries, in particular, were fiercely opposed to such an idea.
