UEFA announces 'steroid-measuring' research study as part of new anti-doping initiatives

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has announced new anti-doping initiatives including the launch of a research study retrospectively measuring the steroid profiles of nearly 900 players who have participated in UEFA competitions since 2008.

According to UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino, the organisation wants to identify the potential relevance of steroid use across Europe by using data from previous doping controls, Sport24 reports.

However, Infantino assured that the study will be anonymous and there will be no penalties for any player incurring an anti-doping rule violation.

Infantino further said that UEFA is empowering itself to take action should one of its member nations fail to punish in an appropriate manner for offences of match-fixing, corruption and doping, adding that the organisation is also removing any period of limitation for offences of bribery and corruption.

The new rules have been planned to come into effect on June 1.

Racism has increasingly blighted the game in recent years, especially in eastern Europe, following which FIFA president Sepp Blatter announced the world governing body was also setting up a new Task Force, the report added.