34 Australian World Cup Players Were Not Recently Charged With Doping
The Claim
Thirty-four Australian players have been charged with doping during the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
News posted on
Emerging story
After Australia qualified for the World Cup's round of 16, social media users claimed 34 Australian players were doped in 2022 Qatar.
Social media users also claimed that Tunisia would advance to the round of 16 instead of Australia.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar investigated the circulating claim and found it to be misleading.
The news that 34 Australian players have been charged with doping is out of date.
It can be seen from the circulating photo, along with the claim that the news dates back to 2014.
FIFA has not announced that thirty-four Australian footballers have been charged with doping during the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Also, no reliable source has reported this news.
Australian Football League (AFL): 34 Players Charged with Doping
The country's national anti-doping organization has charged 34 current and former Australian Rules football players with violating drug laws.
The allegations stem from a 16-month investigation into the use of questionable supplements at the Essendon Bombers, one of the most prestigious clubs in the Australian Football League, in 2012.
According to the agency's statement, "The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) has put formal allegations of possible anti-doping rule violations to 34 current and former players from the Australian Football League (AFL)."
The Australian Football League (AFL)
The Australian Football League is Australia's most popular sporting competition.
It has different football rules than Australian laws and does not follow popular football or the International Federation of Football rules.
Australia Qualifies for the World Cup's Round of 16
The claim went viral on November 30 after Australia defeated Denmark 1-0.
Tunisia defeated France 1-0 at the same time, but Australia qualified alongside France for the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup.
France leads Group D with six points and a goal difference of six points over second-placed Australia.
Tunisia had four points after France's loss to Tunisia, but it was eliminated from the competition because only two teams could qualify for the next round.
FIFA’s Anti-Doping Approach
FIFA's primary objectives are to protect players' physical and mental well-being, to maintain sport's integrity, and to ensure that all competitors have an equal chance.
To effectively combat doping, FIFA has collaborated with WADA and national anti-doping organizations, in addition to national football associations and confederations.
FIFA has a global network of qualified and experienced doping control officers who help with doping controls both in and out of competition.
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