Lord Coe was brought into the review group as an independent member to bring an outside perspective and expertise drawn from other sports. Other members included FA Medical Committee Chairman Peter Heard, Disciplinary Committee Chairman Barry Bright, Head of Medicine and Exercise Science Alan Hodson, Project Manager Brendon Batson, John Bramall of the PFA, and legal representatives from the Premier League and UK Athletics.

The FA is the largest tester in sport in the UK (20% of the total tests), with over 1253 tests conducted last season at all levels of the game. To build on this programme and act as further deterrent, the number of tests will be increased significantly in season 2004-05, by at least 20%.

The review group concluded that test results over the last few years indicate there is no systematic use of performance enhancing drugs in football. In the 10 seasons during which The FA’s Doping Control Programme has been in effect, comprising over 7500 random, unannounced tests, there has been only one positive find for a performance-enhancing substance. In addition, total positive finds have remained steady over this period.

A very important focus of The FA’s testing programme is to rehabilitate and educate in the area of recreational drug use. However, this education arm needs a testing process to highlight problems and act as a deterrent.

Drug tests in English football are already random and unannounced. The review group were unanimous in stressing the need to observe the procedures for verbal and written notification, and the need for appropriate chaperoning throughout the testing event. This will now be reflected in The FA regulations and reaffirmed with UK Sport, which carries out testing on The FA’s behalf.

The group concluded that the current system of out-of-competition testing at training grounds remains the best system for football. It was felt by the group in general, and by Lord Coe in particular, that testing at home was neither appropriate nor necessary for a team sport like football. In the event that individual players are not present on the day when randomly selected for testing, the individual concerned will be notified that they will be subject to unannounced ‘target testing’ in the future.

Both FIFA and UEFA have recognised that English football is leading the way in combating drug use in football.

FA Chief Executive Mark Palios today welcomed the conclusions of The FA’s review of its Doping Control Programme and the report of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee into “Drugs and Role Models in Sport” .

He said: “I am delighted that both Lord Coe and the Select Committee have found much to commend in English football’s Doping Control processes.

“Last year I asked Lord Coe to be an independent member of The FA’s review into its drug testing policies and procedures. His expertise in advising sport on implementing effective systems for tackling drug use in sport is second to none.

“The FA conducts a similar review every year, but in light of the recent WADA debate and considerable public interest in our processes, it was felt that independent support and advice would be valuable.

“In assessing the review, Lord Coe found that The FA has in place a robust and effective system, appropriate to the needs of football, and that the unified approach of The FA, PFA and the clubs can be seen as a model for other sports.”

Palios was also encouraged by the Select Committee’s recognition of The FA’s review and the further strengthening of processes to be introduced for the coming season.

“Football takes the issue of drugs extremely seriously. We already conduct the largest number of tests of any sport in the UK, and are increasing the number of tests for the 2004-05 season by a further 20%.

“The review of our procedures will ensure further strengthening of the Doping Control Programme. I am pleased that the Select Committee has described The FA as having ‘a tried and tested disciplinary system, adequate resources, and separation of roles’, that allow it to effectively operate and enforce its Doping Control Programme.

“The most important finding to come out these reports is that football does not have a systematic drug cheating problem. In football, drug taking issues tend to be largely about recreational, not performance-enhancing drugs. That is why, working together with the PFA, we have an education and rehabilitation process which the Select Committee report describes as ‘enlightened’ .”