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2010 World Cup free of doping so far

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-06-27 19:15

JOHANNESBURG?- The 2010 World Cup has become the fourth consecutive tournament to be free of doping so far, FIFA said Sunday.

More than 450 players have been screened during the World Cup, including almost 200 match day checks.

United States' goalkeeper Tim Howard (R) jumps for the ball as he attacks the Ghana's goal as Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson attempts to punch it off during their 2010 World Cup second round match at Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg June 26, 2010. [Agencies]?

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FIFA chief medical officer Jiri Dvorak said no positive results were received, meaning the 2010 tournament is following the example of previous editions in 1998, 2002 and 2006.

The number of injuries per match has also come down from a high of 2.7 in 2002 to 2.0 so far in this tournament, according to FIFA statistics. In Germany 2006, there were 2.3 injuries per match.

Dvorak said the reduction was down to better preparation of players and the improved knowledge of team doctors and medical staff.

"We hope this trend is going to continue in the future," Dvorak said. "Our objective is to go to less than two injuries per match."

Dvorak, a neurologist, said he was particularly pleased to see referees clamping down on the use of elbows to avoid causing head and neck injuries.

The crackdown was in evidence when France's Yoann Gourcuff was sent off against South Africa for hitting Macbeth Sibaya with an elbow as the two challenged for a ball in the box during the teams' final group match.

"The elbow to the head has to be punished by a red card," Dvorak said. "The referees are being very strict on this."