Fears that the 2014 World Cup "could be decimated" by the ongoing Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority investigation "have eased after event organisers reached an agreement allowing countries to replace any players suspended by the anti-doping body during the tournament," according to Brent Read of THE AUSTRALIAN. Under the existing rules, countries "are required to nominate 24 players before the start of the tournament and stick to them." However, there are concerns ASADA "could stand down players during the tournament, leaving some teams undermanned." As a result, the board "agreed to allow any players stood down by ASADA as a result of the investigation to be replaced." The agreement "covers only players caught by the current investigation, meaning countries will be unable to replace players who fail drug tests during the tournament" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 10/17). In Sydney, Dan Koch reported Australia's reputation on the int'l sporting landscape has taken a "significant battering" on the back of the ongoing investigations into the use of peptides in the Australian Football League and National Rugby League. Speaking at a sports law conference in Brisbane Thursday, World Anti-Doping Authority President John Fahey said the damage to Australia's reputation was "incredibly sad." Fahey: "As a great lover of sport and a very patriotic Australian, to the extent that there are significant lessons to be learned. ... I do hope we take this on board and continue to deal with matters with the seriousness and swiftness with which they deserve" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 10/18).
