Sanctions
Sanctions for doping offences are based on the Declaration issued by the 54th Ordinary FIFA Congress in Paris on 21 May 2004 between FIFA and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) regarding collabora- tion to combat doping in football, whereby FIFA accepted the WAD Code in the light of factors specifi c to football and generally recog- nised principles of law. The following ruling consequently applies:
1 Sanctions for doping offences shall be commensurate with the degree of the player’s guilt. A minimum suspension of 6 months shall be imposed in all cases. In addition to the suspension, a fi ne may also be imposed.
2 In the case of a fi rst doping offence, the maximum suspension shall be 2 years.
3 The execution of the sanction may be suspended for the period in excess of 6 months if the circumstances of the offence, the degree of the player’s guilt and other circumstances justify such a decision. Under no circumstances may probation be granted.
4 If a suspended sanction is imposed against a player who then commits another doping offence, he shall be made to serve the suspended sanction.
5 In the case of a repeated doping offence, the duration of the suspen- sion imposed shall be increased in compliance with art. 62, par.
3. Any such suspension may not be deferred.