Fines, tests for players

Published June 1, 2002

SEOUL, May 31: Players will be fined for the first time if they receive red or yellow cards at the World Cup finals, soccer’s world governing body FIFA said Friday.

Anybody caught “diving” - faking a foul - and players who are penalised for shirt-pulling will face the toughest fines, FIFA said.

“FIFA’s disciplinary committee met yesterday and decided on the levels of the fines. Diving will lead to a fine of 2,000 Swiss francs ($1,280) as will shirt-pulling.”

A red card or a sending-off for two cautions will result in a fine of 2,000 francs. Any player who receives a second yellow card in the tournament, which usually results in a one-match suspension, will be fined 1,000 francs.

BLOOD TESTS: Players will undergo blood tests for the first time in a bid to find banned drugs in their bodies, FIFA added.—Reuters