ANTI-DOPING

Principles and Values Associated With Clean Sport
The intrinsic value of sport, often called “the spirit of sport” is the ethical pursuit of human excellence through the dedicated perfection of each athlete’s natural talents. Clean sport is an environment where the health of athletes is protected and where they are provided with the opportunity to pursue human excellence without the use of prohibited substances and prohibited methods.

The IFA is committed to clean sport, to protecting the health of our athletes and maintaining the integrity of our sport. The IFA Anti-Doping Programme includes prevention strategies including detection-deterrence methods such as testing and investigations, but especially focusing on information and education. The World Anti-Doping Code (the “Code”) is the fundamental and universal document upon which the World Anti-Doping Programme is based. The purpose of the Code is to advance the anti-doping effort through universal harmonisation of core anti-doping elements.

Regarding to the World Anti-Doping Code (valid from 1.1.2021) the IFA Board of Directors adopted the “IFA Anti-Doping Rules based on Wada’s Models of Best Practice for IFA Anti Doping Rules WADA_ valid from 1 January 2021“. These Anti-Doping Rules apply to IFA and to each of its National Federations. They also apply to all Athletes, Athlete Support Personnel and other Persons, each of whom is deemed, as a condition of his/her membership, accreditation and/or participation in the sport, to have agreed to be bound by these Anti-Doping Rules, and to have submitted to the authority of IFA to enforce these Anti-Doping Rules and to the jurisdiction of the hearing panels specified in Article 8 and Article 13 to hear and determine cases and appeals brought under these Anti-Doping Rules. Details can be found in the document.

Rights and Responsibilities
Athletes, Athlete Support Personnel and other groups who are subject to anti-doping rules all have rights and responsibilities under the World Anti-Doping Code (Code). Part Three of the Code outlines these foreach stakeholder in the anti-doping system.
It is especially important that athletes and Athlete Support Personnel know and understand Code Art. 21 (Additional Roles and Responsibilities of Athletes and Other Persons), particularly Art. 21.1 (Roles and Responsibilities of Athletes), Art. 21.2 (Roles and Responsibilities of Athlete Support Personnel) and Art. 21.3 (Roles and Responsibilities of Other Persons Subject to the Code).

Athletes’ Rights
This section presents a summary of the key athlete rights. It is important that both athletes and Athlete Support Personnel know and understand these.
Ensuring that athletes are aware of their rights and these are respected is vital to the success of clean sport. Athlete rights exist throughout the Code and International Standards and they include:

• Equality of opportunity
• Equitable and Fair Testing programs
• Medical treatment and protection of health rights
• Right to justice
• Right to accountability
• Whistleblower rights
• Right to education
• Right to data protection
• Rights to compensation
• Protected Persons Rights
• Rights during a Sample Collection Session
• Right to B sample analysis
• Other rights and freedoms not affected
• Application and standing

The Athletes’ Anti-Doping Rights Act sets out these rights and responsibilities. For more information, you can refer directly to the document here: Athletes’ Anti-Doping Rights Act.

Athletes’ Responsibilities
It is equally important that athletes are aware of their anti-doping responsibilities. Athlete Support Personnel should also familiarise themselves with these in order to be able to support their athletes. These include:
• Knowing and following the IFA Anti-Doping Rules and any other applicable Anti-Doping Rules (for example, those of Major Event Organisations)
• Taking full responsibility for what you ingest – make sure that no prohibited substance enters your body and that no prohibited methods are used
• Informing medical personnel of your obligations as an athlete
• Cooperating with IFA and other Anti-Doping Organisations (WADA, ITA, NADOs)
• Being available for sample collection
• Not working with coaches, trainers, physicians or other Athlete Support Personnel who are ineligible on account of an ADRV, or who have been criminally convicted or disciplined in relation to doping.

Further details of these roles and responsibilities can be found in Code Art. 21.1.

Rights and Responsibilities of Athlete Support Personnel and other groups
Like athletes, Athlete Support Personnel and others under the jurisdiction of IFA also have rights and responsibilities as per the Code. These include:
• Being knowledgeable of anti-doping policies and rules which are applicable to you or the athlete(s) you support
• Using your influence on athlete values and behaviours to foster anti-doping attitudes
• Complying with all anti-doping policies and rules which are applicable to you and the athlete(s) you support
• Cooperating with the athlete testing program
• Disclosing to IFA and their NADO whether you have committed any Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) within the previous ten years
• Cooperating with anti-doping organisations investigating ADRVs
Further details of these roles and responsibilities can be found in Code Art. 21.2 and 21.3.

If you compete in the sport of fistball, you are subject to the IFA Anti-Doping Rules.

As an athlete,
1. You are strictly liable for any substance found in your body (or specimen). You may be charged with anti-doping rule violation for the presence or use of a prohibited substance or method, whether its use was intentional or not.
2. Always check your medications and supplements before consuming them to make sure they do not contain any substances or methods included on the WADA Prohibited List.
3. If you have a medical condition for which you need to take a medication or use a therapeutic method that is prohibited under the WADA Prohibited List, apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) to the appropriate organization (IFA or NADO) prior to the start of its use and at least 30 days before competing.
4. Educate yourself on the risks of taking supplements and minimize your risk.
5. Understand and educate yourself on your rights and responsibilities as an athlete, including but not limited to
• requirements for submitting whereabouts information,
• rights during sample collection,
• responsibility to avoid the use of prohibited substances and methods and apply for a TUE when needed,
• consent to the use of your information,
• obligations to follow the IFA Anti-Doping Rules and all consequences deriving therefrom

Consequences of Doping
Doping is serious, and its consequences are far-reaching. It can permanently damage your reputation, your health and your prospects in and out of sport.
Anyone signed up to a sports organisation that abides by the Sports Anti-Doping Rules can be sanctioned for doping. There are 11 rules: they all apply to athletes, and seven of them apply to coaches and support personnel.

A sanction for doping can mean:
• Ban. A ban from all sport – including competing, training and coaching;
• Disqualification. You and your team are stripped of event results, points, prizes and accolades;
• Public scrutiny. Publication of your rule violation, which may result in damaging media attention and public contempt.

The implications of a sanction are broad. Any perceived short-term gain from doping is never worth the long-term consequences, which can impact many different parts of your life:
• Career. A sanction can end your professional aspirations. The damage to your reputation may make it hard to find a place on a team or opportunities for coaching.
• Relationships. The pressure of a sanction can damage your relationships with teammates, peers and family. Being unable to play sport may leave you feeling isolated.
• Finances. You may lose sponsorship opportunities, contracts or other funding, or face financial sanctions.
• Health. The health consequences of taking performance-enhancing substances can be serious and irreversible.

Nutritional supplements
Extreme caution is recommended regarding supplement use and the IFA rather recommends a “food-first” approach.

What is a supplement?
• Supplements are manufactured products likes pills, capsules, powders, gels, drinks and bars that contain nutrients, herbs, amino acids or other substances that can affect the body.
• Typically, available over-the-counter and meant to “supplement” the diet.
• A thorough “needs analysis” and “risks analysis” should be done prior to use.

Why is supplement use a concern?
• Unlike medications, which are produced to very thorough regulatory standards (can check ingredients against the Prohibited List), the manufacturing standards for supplements are less thorough.
• While nutritional supplements are generally marketed as being healthy, taking supplements can prove risky as sometimes they can contain a prohibited substance. There are three main reasons why this can happen:
1. The manufacturer failed to list the substance on the label
2. The manufacturer listed the substance using a different name
3. Cross contamination occurred during the manufacturing process.
• Neither WADA or the IFA is involved in any supplement certification process and therefore do not certify or endorse manufacturers or their products. WADA and the IFA do not control the quality of the claims of the supplement industry.

Testing procedures – Urine, Blood & the ABP

Introduction to Doping Control
The aim of testing is to detect and deter doping amongst athletes and to protect clean athletes. Any athlete under the testing jurisdiction of the IFA may be tested at any time, with no advance notice, in- or out-of-competition, and be required to provide a urine or a blood sample.
Athletes can be tested by the IFA, NADOs or Major Event Organisers. Certain International Federations and Major Event Organisers delegate part or all of their anti-doping programs to independent organisations like the International Testing Agency (ITA).

What to expect during the Doping Control Process
The doping control process is clearly defined by the World Anti-Doping Agency. This means that no matter where and when an athlete is tested, the process should remain the same.
The key steps of the doping control process are listed out in this Doping Control resource prepared by the International Testing Agency.
To learn more about the doping control process, please watch this ITA webinar on urine and blood sample collection.

Rights & Responsibilities during Sample Collection
Athletes have a number of rights and responsibilities during sample collection.

Athlete rights during sample collection are to:
• Have a representative accompany them during the process
• Request an interpreter, if one is available
• Ask for Chaperone’s/Doping Control Officer’s identification
• Ask any questions
• Request a delay for a valid reason (e.g., attending a victory ceremony, receiving necessary medical attention, warming down or finishing a training session)
• Request special assistance or modifications to the process
• Record any comments or concerns on the Doping Control Form

Athlete responsibilities during sample collection are to:
• Report for testing immediately if selected
• Show valid identification (usually a government-issued ID)
• Remain in direct sight of the Doping Control Officer or Chaperone
• Comply with the collection procedure

Athlete Biological Passport (ABP)
The Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) was introduced in 2009 and is a pillar method in the detection of doping. It is an individual electronic profile that monitors selected athlete biological variables that indirectly reveal the effects of doping. ABP is integrated directly into ADAMS.
If you wish to learn more about ABP, you can watch this ITA webinar recording.

Testing pool and whereabouts
Whereabouts Requirements for Testing Pools
The IFA has adopted a ‘pyramid’ approach in developing their Test Distribution Plan (TDP) where athletes are separated into tiers:
• Registered Testing Pool or RTP Athletes: Athletes required to submit and update full Athlete Whereabouts information
• Testing Pool or TP Athletes: Athletes required to submit and update limited Athlete Whereabouts information
• Other Pool: Athletes that do not have a requirement to submit and update regular Athlete Whereabouts information.

Whereabouts Submission Requirements
Athletes are responsible for ensuring that they provide, and update as applicable, all of the information required in a Whereabouts Filing accurately and in sufficient detail to enable the IFA to locate the athlete for testing on any given day in the quarter at the times and locations specified by the athlete for that day. For RTP athletes this includes but is not limited to the duration of the 60-minute time slot specified for that day. Athlete Whereabouts are to be submitted on a quarterly basis through WADA’s Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS).

List of Prohibited Substances and Methods

The 2023 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods can be found here. The List, which is updated annually, comes into force on 1st January 2023. A summary of major modifications and explanatory notes can be found here.

The 2022 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods can be found here. The List, which is updated annually, comes into force on 1st January 2022. A summary of major modifications and explanatory notes can be found here.

The 2021 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods can be found here. The List, which is updated annually, comes into force on 1st January 2021. A summary of major modifications and explanatory notes can be found here.

The 2020 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods can be found here. The List, which is updated annually, comes into force on 1st January 2020. A summary of major modifications and explanatory notes can be found here.

The 2019 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods, the 2018 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods , the 2017 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods can be found here.

IFA Test Distribution Plan (TDP)
IFA is doing Out-of-Competition testing (OOCT) as urine test and blood test as well as In-Competition testing (ICT) according to its TDP 2023.

IFA Testing Pool
Regarding to the IFA Anti-Doping regulation Article 5.6.6. IFA has established an IFA Anti-Doping Testing Pool which is included in the TDP.

IFA POLICY FOR SAMPLE RETENTION AND FURTHER ANALYSIS STRATEGY
Document

IFA ANTI-DOPING PRIVACY NOTICE
Privacy note.

IFA Annual Statistical Anti-Doping Report
As per Art. 14.4 of the World Anti-Doping Code IFA provides an annual statistical Anti-Doping report.

IFA Anti Doping Report 2022
IFA Anti Doping Report 2021
IFA Anti Doping Report 2020
IFA Anti Doping Report 2019
IFA Anti Doping Report 2018

World Anti-Doping Code
The World Anti-Doping Code can be found here.

WADA International Standards
The WADA International Standards can be found here.
These include the following Standards: Prohibited List, Testing, Therapeutic Use Exemptions, Laboratories, Protection of Privacy and Personal information.

THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTION PROCESS

WHAT IS A THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTION (TUE)?
Athletes may have illnesses or conditions that require them to take medications or undergo procedures. If the medication or method an athlete is required to use to treat an illness or condition is prohibited as per the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) Prohibited List a TUE may give that athlete the authorization to use that substance or method while competing without invoking an anti-doping rule violation (ADRV) and applicable sanction. Applications for TUEs are evaluated by a panel of physicians, the TUE Committee (TUEC).

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA FOR GRANTING A TUE?
All of the four following criteria must be met (for more details, please refer to the WADA International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE) Article 4.2):

• The athlete has a clear diagnosed medical condition which requires treatment using a prohibited substance or method;
• The therapeutic use of the substance will not, on the balance of probabilities produce significant enhancement of performance beyond the athlete’s normal state of health;
• The prohibited substance or method is an indicated treatment for the medical condition, and there is no reasonable permitted therapeutic alternative;
• The necessity to use that substance or method is not a consequence of the prior use (without a TUE), of a substance or method which was prohibited at the time of use.

WHO SHOULD APPLY FOR A TUE? WHERE AND WHEN TO APPLY?
The International Fistball Association (IFA) has delegated responsibility for all TUE applications to the International Testing Agency (ITA). This means that the ITA is now fully responsible for the TUE application process for all international-level athletes that fall under the IFA’s jurisdiction.

Athletes who are subject to anti-doping rules would need a TUE to take a prohibited substance or use a prohibited method. You should verify with the ITA to know to whom you need to apply and if you can apply retroactively.

First, check if the required medication or method you intend to take, or use is prohibited as per the WADA Prohibited List.

You may also use a ‘check your medication’ online like globalDRO (https://globaldro.com) or ask your NADO if it has one.

You have a responsibility to inform your physician(s) that you are an Athlete bound to anti-doping rules. You and your physician(s) should check the Prohibited List for the substance/method you are prescribed. If the substance/method is prohibited, discuss non-prohibited alternatives, if there are none, apply for a TUE. Remember Athletes have the ultimate responsibility. Contact your NADO or the ITA if you are having difficulties in assessing the status of a substance.

Then, verify below your status, to determine your competition level and TUE application requirements:

International Level Definition
(a) Athletes who are included in IFA Registered Testing Pool and Testing Pool, if they are established;
(b) Athletes who are selected to represent their country in the World and Continental Championships sanctioned by IFA;
(c) Athletes who compete in any of the following IFA International Events: The World Games, IFA Fistball World Championships, IFA Fistball World Cups, IFA Fistball World Tour, Continental Championships, as published each year by IFA on its website at http://www.ifa-fistball.com/en

If it is determined that you are an International-Level Athlete you must apply to the ITA in advance, as soon as the need arises, unless there are emergency or exceptional circumstances.

For substances prohibited in-competition only, you should apply for a TUE at least 30 days before your next competition, unless one of the exceptions on retroactive TUEs (see below) apply.

Please refer to the section “How to apply to the ITA for a TUE?” below.

If you already have a TUE granted by your National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO):
ITA’s TUEC will automatically recognise it for purposes of international-level Competition without the need to review the relevant clinical information.

If you are NOT an International-Level Athlete and you have been tested by the IFA, ITA’s TUEC recognizes a valid TUE granted by your NADO (i.e., it satisfies the ISTUE criteria for granting a TUE); unless you are required to apply for recognition of the TUE because you are competing in an international event.

If you are NOT a National-Level Athlete as defined by your NADO and you have been tested by the IFA, you must apply for a retroactive TUE to the ITA.

CAN I GET A RETROACTIVE TUE?
You may only apply retroactively for a TUE to the ITA’s TUEC if:

• You required emergency or urgent treatment of a medical condition.
• There was insufficient time, opportunity or other exceptional circumstances that prevented you from submitting the TUE application, or having it evaluated, before getting tested.
• You are a lower level athlete who is not under the jurisdiction of the IFA or NADO and were tested.
• You tested positive after using a substance Out-of-Competition that is only prohibited In-Competition (for example glucocorticoids).

In rare and exceptional circumstances and notwithstanding any other provision in the ISTUE, you may apply for and be granted retroactive approval for a therapeutic use of a prohibited substance or method, if considering the purpose of the Code, it would be manifestly unfair not to grant a retroactive TUE.

This unique retroactive TUE will only be granted with the prior approval of WADA (and WADA may in its absolute discretion agree with or reject the ITA’s TUEC decision).

Important note: Using a prohibited substance or method without a TUE could result in an Anti-Doping Rule Violation.

In case an application for a retroactive TUE is necessary following sample collection, you are strongly advised to have a medical file prepared and ready to submit for evaluation.

HOW TO APPLY TO THE ITA FOR A TUE?
The IFA encourages to submit TUE applications via ADAMS, together with the required medical information. If you do not have an ADAMS account yet, please contact tue@ita.sport to have it set up.

Otherwise, please download the TUE Application Form (found on https://ita.sport/TUE), and once duly completed and signed, send it together with the required medical file to tue@ita.sport.

Your TUE application must be submitted in legible capital letters or typing.

The medical file must include:
• A comprehensive medical history, including documentation from the original diagnosing physician(s) (where possible);
• The results of all examinations, laboratory investigations and imaging studies relevant to the application.
Any costs incurred by the Athlete in making the TUE application and in supplementing it as required by the TUEC are the responsibility of the Athlete.

Any TUE application that is not complete or legible will not be dealt with and will be returned for completion and re-submission.

To assist you and your doctor in providing the correct medical documentation, we suggest consulting the WADA’s Checklists for TUE applications for guidance and support, and Medical Information to Support the Decisions of TUECs for guidance on specific common medical conditions, treatments, substances, etc.

Keep a complete copy of the TUE application form and all medical information submitted in support of your application, and proof that it has been sent.

HOW TO SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR RECOGNITION OF MY NADO’S TUE TO THE ITA?
ITA’s TUEC will automatically recognise your TUE for purposes of international-level Competition without the need to review the relevant clinical information. If the TUE is correctly entered in ADAMS, there is no need to contact us. Nevertheless, should you require a confirmation, you can submit your request to the ITA in writing quoting your ADAMS TUE reference number.

You can download your TUE certificate directly from ADAMS.

WHAT HAPPENS AT MAJOR EVENTS?
You must verify with the Major Event, what are its TUE requirements.

Before the Period of the Games
You should follow the normal process and submit new requests to your IF or NADO. Pre-existing TUEs will follow the Major Event’s recognition process provided they are entered in ADAMS.

During the Period of the Games.
All Athletes participating in a Major Event should visit the dedicated webpage that describes the process for each Event.

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE A DECISION ON MY TUE APPLICATION [OR REQUEST FOR RECOGNITION]?
The ITA’s TUEC must render a decision as soon as possible, and usually within 21 days from the date of receipt of the complete TUE application, or request for recognition, unless in exceptional circumstances.

WHAT IF I NEED TO RENEW MY TUE?
Each TUE has a specific duration, at the end of which it expires automatically. Should you need to continue to use the prohibited substance or method, it is your responsibility to submit a new application for a TUE with updated medical information ahead of the expiry date, so that there is sufficient time for a decision to be made prior to the expiry of the current TUE.

Important note:
The presence (following sample collection), use, possession or administration of the prohibited substance or method must be consistent with the terms of your TUE. Therefore, if you require a materially different dosage, frequency, route or duration of administration, you should contact the ITA, as you may be required to apply for a new TUE. Some substances and dosages, e.g. insulin, are often modified during treatment and these possible fluctuations should be mentioned by the treating physician in the TUE application and would usually be accepted by the ITA’s TUEC.

WHAT IF MY IFA TUE APPLICATION IS DENIED?
A decision to deny a TUE application will include a written explanation of the reason(s) for the denial. If it is not clear to you, please contact the ITA to understand exactly why the TUE was denied. Sometimes, there may be a critical piece of information, diagnostic test, laboratory results missing, etc. In which case, you should re-apply to us.

You and/or your NADO may refer the matter to WADA for review no later than 21 days after notification of the ITA’s TUEC decision. You should send the same information that you submitted to us, and on which the decision to deny the TUE was based on, via a secure on-line method or by registered mail at:

WADA Medical Department
World Anti-Doping Agency
Stock Exchange Tower
800 Place Victoria (Suite 1700)
P.O. Box 120
Montreal (Quebec) H4Z 1B7
Canada

The email address to enquire and/or send the request for review is: medical@wada-ama.org

It should be noted that WADA is not obliged to proceed with a request for a review. In that case, you and/or your NADO may appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

WHAT IF MY NADO’S TUE IS NOT RECOGNIZED BY THE IFA?
You and/or your NADO have 21 days from the date of decision to refer the matter to WADA for review. The email address to enquire and/or send the request for review is: medical@wada-ama.org. Alternatively, you may send to:

WADA Medical Department
World Anti-Doping Agency
Stock Exchange Tower
800 Place Victoria (Suite 1700)
P.O. Box 120
Montreal (Quebec) H4Z 1B7
Canada

The same information that was provided to your NADO should be submitted to WADA. Please use a secure on-line method unless sending by registered mail.

Pending WADA’s decision, your NADO TUE remains valid for national-level competition and out-of-competition testing only.

If the matter is not referred to WADA for review, your NADO must determine whether the original TUE that was granted should remain valid for national-level Competition and Out-of-Competition Testing.

WILL MY MEDICAL INFORMATION BE TREATED IN A CONFIDENTIAL MANNER?
All the information contained in a TUE application, including the supporting medical information and any other information related to the evaluation of your TUE request is kept strictly confidential and treated in accordance with the Athlete’s Declaration contained in the ADAMS TUE and in the TUE Application Form which can be found here. All members of the TUEC and any other authorized recipients of your TUE request and related information (as described in the Athlete’s Declaration) are subject to a professional or contractual confidentiality obligation.

Please review the terms of the Athlete’s Declaration carefully. In particular, note that should you wish to revoke the right of the ITA’s TUEC to obtain the information related to your TUE in accordance with the Athlete’s Declaration, your TUE application will be deemed withdrawn without approval [or recognition] being granted.

Your TUE request-related information will be retained by the IFA, ITA’s TUEC and any other authorized recipients for no longer than necessary for the purposes stated in the Athlete’s Declaration, in accordance with the International Standard for the Protection of Privacy and Personal Information.

CONTACT INFORMATION
For any further information and questions in relation to personal information practices, please contact the ITA at privacy@ita.sport or the IFA.

If you have a doubt as regards to which organization you should apply for a TUE, or as to the recognition process, or any other question about TUEs, please contact: tue@ita.sport.

OTHER USEFUL LINKS:
WADA International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE)
WADA Q&A on the Prohibited List
WADA Checklists for TUE Applications
WADA Guidelines for the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE)
WADA Anti-Doping Education and Learning (ADEL)
REVEAL – MAKE YOUR REPORT FOR FAIRNESS IN SPORT
WADA SPEAK UP AGAINST DOPING