Marie-George Buffet ‘admits’ surprise anti-doping checks on France were halted before 1998 World Cup | OneFootball

BFMTV reports that former sports minister Marie-George Buffet acknowledged in a documentary that unannounced anti-doping checks on the France team were suspended after a 1997 test sparked controversy in the build-up to the 1998 World Cup.

She had previously disputed that any halt occurred. The operation drew strong criticism from players, coach Aimé Jacquet and the French federation, despite all tests returning negative results.

Alain Garnier, a doctor appointed by the sports ministry to oversee testing, said he was told not to return until the World Cup, meaning no more surprise checks, and that the instruction was given orally.

Buffet accepted his account, calling it a step back in anti-doping efforts. She said the push resumed after the World Cup and noted she introduced the first French anti-doping law, adopted in 1999.

She said the decision was taken at cabinet level, while Garnier maintained it originated from Matignon. Until now, Buffet had denied ordering a stop to surprise checks, telling a Senate committee under oath in 2013 that no such directive was ever issued.

Source: L'Équipe

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”