PARIS -- Despite what it calls the most comprehensive anti-doping program at a European Championship, UEFA says some players might go through the tournament without being blood-tested.
UEFA revealed the details of its anti-doping plans for the month-long tournament on Tuesday at the French anti-doping laboratory, where samples will be analyzed.
Euro 2016 starts on Friday in France.
All players from the 24 teams have been in a testing pool since January, Marc Vouillamoz, the UEFA head of medical and anti-doping, said. But because some national anti-doping organizations (NADOs) don't perform blood collection, Vouillamoz said "it may be that some players did not have a blood test."
UEFA will, however, carry out targeted doping tests during the tournament from June 10-July 10, and Vouillamoz said "it's very unlikely that some players won't be tested at all."
He wouldn't identify which teams haven't been blood-tested at home, but said co-operation agreements signed with all of them facilitated the sharing of players' biological profiles.
UEFA will also keep a close eye on the Russia team, whose country has been hit by major doping cases and sanctions.
"We have been working very closely with U.K. Anti-doping, who are in charge of monitoring the program in Russia," Vouillamoz said. "Of course we are paying special attention to the Russian team."
The Euro 2016 anti-doping program, including pre-competition testing, costs one million euros ($1.1 million). Samples collected before and during the competition will be stored for four years, and available for retesting.
