Home and AwayUnder the radar: Uefa launches anti-doping measures as study reveals unusual testosterone levels
Report reveals samples high on testosterone, but governing body says there is 'nothing conclusive'
Whistles will blow across Europe today to kick off another testosterone-fuelled weekend of football. We hope to witness competitive theatrics from combustibles like Diego Costa and great goals amid the drama of sublime athleticism.
But is the football we watch the real deal - or is some of it fake? According to findings in a Uefa-commissioned study, a worrying number of players starring in the continent's most prestigious competitions may well be dope cheats.
The report - championed by European football's governing body as "the most extensive in the sport's history" - revealed higher than expected levels of testosterone in 7.7 per cent of the 879 footballers tested in the Champions League, Europa League and European Championship between 2008 and 2013.
The sport's integrity in the eyes of the supporters was clearly not Uefa's priority in publishing the report
Out of the 4,000 plus urine tests, 68 showed conspicuous levels of testosterone.
This might seem minuscule compared to the numbers that have disgraced athletics and cycling, but given many believe football to be free of doping, the report suggests otherwise.
Teams playing in Uefa competitions during that period included the England national side, as well as Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool.
