PARIS, 22 May 2004 — Soccer’s governing body FIFA finally agreed to the world anti-doping code yesterday, ending a two-year hiatus, which threatened the participation of the world’s most popular sport at August’s Olympic Games.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter, Dick Pound, chairman of the World Anti-Doping Agency, and Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee, took the stage at FIFA’s Centennial Congress to sign the declaration.

“This is an historic day for sport and the battle against doping in sport,” Pound told the Congress.

“This is the end of it, football will now be at the Olympic Games. It is just up to FIFA to incorporate this into their own process, but this is the end of debate and I am delighted.”

All sports have to sign up to WADA’s code if they want to take part in the Athens Games. Only cycling has now to sign.

Rogge said: “I have been to many weddings and you hope the bride and groom will be happy. I am sure this marriage between FIFA and WADA will be a long one and produce good children.”

Celebrations at FIFA’s congress, being held 100 years to the day since the organization was founded, extended to Cameroon.

They were granted a pardon and FIFA lifted a six-point deduction from their World Cup qualifiers, imposed after the team wore a one-piece kit at the African Nations Cup in January.

Cameroon had asked Blatter for a presidential pardon which, under the FIFA statutes, he was technically unable to give. However, he passed the matter to the 205 delegates who unanimously decided to drop the sanction. “This is special because it is the 100th anniversary and we have something to celebrate” he said, “But the 200,000 Swiss franc ($157,000) fine remains.”

Sukur Double Gives Turkey 3-1 Win Over Aussies

In Sydney, Hakan Sukur scored twice in seven minutes to give Turkey a 3-1 win over Australia in the first of their two friendly internationals yesterday. The veteran striker broke a 1-1 deadlock midway through the second half then sealed his team’s victory when he was on target again moments later.

Turkey, World Cup semifinalists in 2002, dominated the match against a depleted Australian side who suffered a major blow with the loss of Danny Tiatto.

The Manchester City defender was involved in a sickening mid-air clash with Australia’s goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer and was later diagnosed with a double fracture of the jaw.

The Turks opened the scoring in the 41st minute when Umit Ozat netted a free kick but the Australians leveled three minutes into the second half when Marco Bresciano converted a penalty.