German Football Federation, League Increase Fight Against Doping, Will Use Blood Tests

The German Football Federation (DFB) and the German Football League (DFL) "will increase their fight against doping," according to the SID. Starting with the upcoming season, the two organizations "will, for the first time, use blood tests." The employees of the National Anti-Doping Agency "will then not only wait with a urine specimen cup for the players in the locker room but also with a needle." DFB Anti-Doping Commission Chair Rainer Koch said, "The agreement with NADA is close to being finalized. It has been a very positive development, NADA will most likely also carry out blood tests at team practices in the new season." Sources said that around 15% of all doping tests "will be blood tests." Koch: "The goal is to keep up the test quantities" (SID, 7/17).