FIFA taking doping action vs. Italy, Dutch, France

GENEVA (AP) -- World soccer's governing body said Tuesday it was considering taking disciplinary action against the associations of France, Italy and the Netherlands for being too lenient with doping offenders.

FIFA said the three associations have failed to adhere to its minimum stipulations -- a six-month suspension plus a fine -- for punishing doping infractions.

"All three associations have been too lenient with doping offenders," said FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren. "FIFA wants to make sure doping is fought against by all 205 member associations. This means the associations must adhere to the minimum sanctions."

FIFA's Disciplinary Committee began proceedings on Sept. 16 and gave the associations until Sept. 24 to explain their position. Italy and the Netherlands sent in their arguments but France did not, FIFA said.

Herren said the committee will now examine documents as well as the statements made by the Dutch and Italian associations but in the case of France, a decision will be made on the basis of the documents available.

FIFA, which said it will announce the outcome once the disciplinary committee has met to consider the cases, would not comment on the possible sanctions.

As an example of lax punishment, Herren cited the Dutch Soccer Association's 10-match ban on Hungarian midfielder Tamas Peto, who tested positive for the steroid norandrosterone after a league match between Breda and PSV Eindhoven on Feb. 4, 2004.

Other sanctions which appear to fall short of FIFA's minimum standards include the decision of the Italian soccer federation's appeals commission, which reduced from six to five months the doping suspension of Parma midfielder Manuele Blasi, who tested positive for the performance-enhancing steroid norandrosterone.

The commission also handed a two-month suspension to Fabio Mazzeo, forward of second-division Salernitana, who tested positive for a metabolite of THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, the chemical compound that provides the marijuana high.

Meanwhile, Saadi Gadhafi, the soccer-playing son of the Libyan leader, served only a three-month ban after testing positive for a performance-enhancing steroid in an Oct. 5 match. In addition, the Italian league ruled that Gadhafi could play in friendly matches while serving his ban so he could keep in form.

French soccer officials outright cleared Czech Vaclav Drobny after he allegedly tested positive for morphine on May 10 following Strasbourg's 3-2 win at Rennes. The player argued that the morphine detected was likely a result of having taken medication containing codeine -- which is not a banned product and can produce traces of morphine, considered a non-performance enhancer. But Strasbourg's team doctor, Francois Pietra, reportedly said he had not administered any codeine to the defender.

In other doping news, FIFA expressed satisfaction that none of the 216 doping test conducted during the mens and womens Olympic Football Tournaments, produced positive results. Two players from each team were tested after every match, FIFA said.

"These gratifying results have been achieved thanks to the federations close cooperation under FIFA's patronage," FIFA president Sepp Blatter said.