FIFA formally signs new anti-doping code

By Julian Linden

SYDNEY (Reuters) - FIFA formally signed the new World Anti-Doping code on Friday during its annual Congress in Sydney.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter jointly signed the agreement with WADA boss John Fahey after the Congress voted overwhelmingly in support of the resolution.

Soccer's world governing body had previously been reluctant to sign the agreement because it was opposed to some of WADA's (World Anti-Doping Agency) rules, including uniform two-year bans for athletes caught using performance-enhancing drugs.

However, FIFA agreed to sign the accord after WADA proposed a revised set of rules that were endorsed by sporting bodies at a doping conference in Spain last year.

"The commitment of FIFA has been strong and I believe will be even stronger in the days ahead," Fahey told the Congress.

"Football is a giant in the universe of team sport and your example is of paramount importance.

"Your support will be noticed and followed by other team sports around the world."

The new anti-doping code, which comes into force on Jan 1 2009, will allow greater flexibility in the sanctions imposed on athletes who can prove they failed doping tests through oversight rather than an intention to cheat.