§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, as a matter of urgency, they will make the Drug Free Sport Directorate independent of UK Sport; and [HL4787]
When they intend to launch an independent review into the effectiveness of anti-doping testing policies and procedures in British sport. [HL4789]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Lord Mclntosh of Haringey)UK Sport under the leadership of its new interim chair (Sue Campbell) is undergoing a review of functions and consideration of a reform agenda that includes the role of UK Sport and responsibility for anti-doping.
§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they intend to provide the Drug Free Sport Directorate of UK Sport with the powers to establish and run independent disciplinary panels and insist on the presence of independent testing officers at all times during all testing procedures. [HL4788]
Lord Mclntosh of HaringeyUK Sport is currently assessing the question of where responsibility for disciplinary procedures should rest under the UK's national anti-doping policy. Under the national doping control process, sample collection and analysis are already independent of sport and its governing bodies.
§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they intend to make representations to the Football Foundation to ensure that grants to the football clubs should be conditional on the full implementation of UK Sport's Statement of Anti-Doping Policy. [HL4790]
Lord Mclntosh of HaringeyThe Government do not intend to make representations to the Football Foundation on this matter. The Football Association (FA), the sports governing body, has a comprehensive anti-doping programme in place that applies to players in the professional and semi-professional game. The FA's anti-doping programme applies to all clubs irrespective of whether they are in receipt of funding from the Football Foundation or not.
§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
When UK Sport has informed the Football Association by telephone on 23 September that Rio Ferdinand had failed to comply with a request to submit to a test, a disciplinary panel was not set up prior to that player's next Premier League match and in advance of England's match against Turkey on 11 October; and whether they will call for a 197WA review of the timing of disciplinary hearings. [HL4791]
Lord Mclntosh of HaringeyUnder the national anti-doping policy it is the responsibility of national governing bodies to set up a disciplinary panel. As such, this is a matter entirely for the Football Association and the Government do not comment on individual cases.
§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have received reports that the Manchester United club doctors, who are mandated under the anti-doping policy agreed between the 198WA football authorities and UK Sport to ensure full compliance with the policy, informed the independent sampling officers that Rio Ferdinand was delayed in giving a sample on 23 September owing, inter alia, to "media interviews"; and why the doctors failed to ensure his attendance to comply with a request to submit to a test. [HL4792]
Lord Mclntosh of HaringeyThe Football Association is working with UK Sport to ensure that sample collection procedures are reviewed so that they fully comply with the national anti-doping policy, which in turn reflects the policy of the new World Anti-Doping Agency. The Government do not comment on individual cases.