The Russian Football Union (RFU) is warning players against drinking “exotic tea” or smoking shisha pipes as it tries to avoid any doping cases ahead of its home World Cup.

In a guide to help players avoid failing drug tests by accident, the RFU says players should be wary of accidentally consuming banned substances.

It recommends players always read the label on exercise supplements and check online whether they're contaminated with banned products.

The RFU also advises players “not to consume exotic tea,” to avoid smoking shisha, and to be wary of possibly contaminated meat from China or South America.

It wasn't immediately clear what prompted the tea warning.

An Algerian player was banned after a 2015 positive test for cocaine he said he accidentally consumed via a friend's shisha pipe.

Opinion

Editorial

Business concerns
Updated 26 Apr, 2024

Business concerns

There is no doubt that these issues are impeding a positive business clime, which is required to boost private investment and economic growth.
Musical chairs
26 Apr, 2024

Musical chairs

THE petitioners are quite helpless. Yet again, they are being expected to wait while the bench supposed to hear...
Global arms race
26 Apr, 2024

Global arms race

THE figure is staggering. According to the annual report of Sweden-based think tank Stockholm International Peace...
Digital growth
Updated 25 Apr, 2024

Digital growth

Democratising digital development will catalyse a rapid, if not immediate, improvement in human development indicators for the underserved segments of the Pakistani citizenry.
Nikah rights
25 Apr, 2024

Nikah rights

THE Supreme Court recently delivered a judgement championing the rights of women within a marriage. The ruling...
Campus crackdowns
25 Apr, 2024

Campus crackdowns

WHILE most Western governments have either been gladly facilitating Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, or meekly...