The Irish Football Association is continuing to support UK Anti-Doping’s efforts in the fight against doping in sport.
UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) believes all athletes/players have the right to compete in sport knowing that they, and their competitors, are clean.
The Irish FA also believes in clean sport and works in partnership with UKAD to ensure that the integrity of football is protected.
The association has in place a set of anti-doping rules that all athletes/players and athlete/player support personnel must abide by.
The rules for the Irish FA are consistent with the World Anti-Doping Code, the core document that harmonises anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sport globally.
The anti-doping rules of the Irish FA are the rules published by UK Anti-Doping (or its successor), as amended from time to time.
If your club is a member of the association then the rules apply to you, regardless of what level you participate at. You can find the UK Anti-Doping Rules here.
WORLD ANTI-DOPING CODE
From 1 January 2021 a new version of the World Anti-Doping Code is in effect and it’s important that all athletes/players and athlete/player support personnel are aware of how this impacts them.
For more information on the changes within the 2021 Code visit UKAD’s website here.
Under the 2021 Code an athlete/player may be classified as being “International-Level”, “National-Level” or a “Recreational Athlete” based on their competition level. Further information on these different categories is available on the UKAD website.
Breaking the anti-doping rules can result in a ban from all sport. The code outlines the Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs). Athletes/players and athlete/player support personnel need to make sure they are fully aware of these violations, and the consequences of breaking them. For more information and what this means for those individuals click here.
For information on individuals serving a ban from sport visit UKAD’s sanctions page on its website.
THE BIG PICTURE - TOP TIPS FOR CLEAN SPORT
An athlete/player is responsible for anything found in their system, regardless of how it got there or whether there is any intention to cheat. All athletes/players and athlete/player support personnel should make themselves aware of the risks so that they don’t receive an unintentional ban from sport. Useful information for athletes can be found on the UKAD website.
THE PROHIBITED LIST
All banned substances and methods in Code-compliant sports are outlined in the Prohibited List. Substances and methods can be added to the Prohibited List at any time; however, it is updated as a minimum once a year, coming into effect on 1 January.
The latest Prohibited List can be found on the WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) website. As this list is updated frequently, athletes/players and athlete/player support personnel should make sure they check it regularly for any changes. More information can be found on UKAD’s website.
CHECKING MEDICATIONS
Before taking any medication (whether from a doctor or purchased over the counter), athletes/players must check to make sure it doesn’t contain any banned substances.
Medications (ingredients or brand name) can be checked online at Global DRO. It is important to note that medications bought in one country may contain different ingredients to the same branded medication in another country. For more information on checking medications visit UKAD’s website.
Check out the following video from UKAD Athlete Commission member and British Paralympic powerlifter Ali Jawad on using Global DRO:
TAKING NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS
UKAD always advises a food first approach to nutrition as there are no guarantees that any supplement product is free from banned substances.
Athletes/players can support their training and progress towards their targets by eating and enjoying nutritious food. With a bit of planning it is possible to eat a delicious and healthy diet made up of a variety of food types at the right time, and in the right quantities.
Athletes/players should assess the need, the risks and the consequences before deciding to take a supplement, and if they need to use one they should visit the Informed Sport website to check whether supplements have been batch-tested. More advice on managing supplement risks can be found on UKAD’s Supplement Hub here.
APPLYING FOR A THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTION (TUE)
If an athlete/player with a legitimate medical condition needs to use a prohibited substance or method they will need to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).
This is only accepted if there are no other suitable permitted medications or treatments that can be used, and there is a strict, detailed process to determine this.
Athletes/players can find out more information about the TUE process on the UKAD website and use the TUE Wizard to find out whether they need to apply for a TUE and who to submit their application to.
WHAT HAPPENS IN A TEST?
Athletes/players should feel prepared and know their rights and responsibilities when they are notified to be tested by a Chaperone or Doping Control Officer. Check out the following video on the testing process from start to finish:
Athletes/players can find out more in the Introduction to Testing section of UKAD’s website.
100% ME – SUPPORTING ATHLETES TO BE CLEAN
100% Me is UKAD’s values-based education and information programme, helping athletes/players meet their anti-doping responsibilities throughout their sporting journey. UKAD wants all athletes to be clean, stay clean and believe all others are clean.
For more information on what this means, visit UKAD’s website. UKAD’s 100% Me Clean Sport App can also be downloaded from iTunes, Google Play or Windows Live Store, for essential anti-doping information.
PROTECT YOUR SPORT
Protecting clean sport depends on everyone playing their part – athletes/players, coaches or parents - whether on centre stage or behind the scenes.
Speak out if you feel there’s something wrong - no matter how small. UKAD guarantees that your identity will always be kept 100% confidential. Find out more about Protect Your Sport here.
There are four ways to get in touch if you want to speak out:
- Email - When you feel something’s wrong send UKAD an email. UKAD guarantees that your name and email address will be kept confidential. Email protectyoursport@reportdoping.com.
- WhatsApp - Message on WhatsApp* at +44 (0) 7587 634711 - no matter how small. UKAD guarantees that your name and number will be kept confidential (*WhatsApp is an encrypted platform. This number is not open to receiving calls).
- Online Form - Let UKAD know via the form on protectyoursport.co.uk. Choose the two-way communication option at the end of the form. You will still be anonymous, but UKAD will have the chance to follow up later on. Fill in the form here.
- 24/7 Hotline - Call on 08000 32 23 32. UKAD is available to listen and won’t ask who you are. You may want to keep your identity a secret but telling UKAD who you are makes a real difference later on, so consider emailing or speaking via WhatsApp first.
UKAD can be contacted at ukad@ukad.org.uk or by calling +44 (0) 207 842 3450.
Regular updates from UKAD can also be found in the news section of its website, or on its Twitter account: @ukantidoping.