July 1 – All 1,818 doping test taken from European Championship players have so far tested negative. UEFA says 354 samples collected at matches and analysed by the WADA-accredited anti-doping laboratory at Chatenay-Malabry outside Paris added to the 1,464 that were taken out-of-competition since January 1.
Results from testing blood, urine and serum samples will be used for individual players’ biological passports to monitor possible effects of doping over time.
UEFA says it plans a long-term storage programme of samples taken from Euro 2016 and the Champions League and Europa League for possible re-analysis if required “due to intelligence received or new analytical techniques becoming available.” The idea is to put off potential offenders, who could face retrospective sanctions.
Before the start of the tournament European football’s governing body said it would be paying “special attention” to the Russian team for potential drug violations following the suspension of Russia from world athletics last November after an international investigation uncovered evidence of widespread doping.
Since 2004, only Croatia striker Ivica Olic has failed a test during the Euros but was cleared to continue playing. For each game in France, two players from each team have been tested with the possibility of random testing on non-match days.
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