EPO and AS use in soccer discussed by doping experts ( including the infamous Conte ).

"One of the foremost experts in WADA's army is Prof. Christiane Ayotte, director of the WADA-accredited laboratory in Montreal. She said there's a trend in which athletes are using the endurance drug EPO — which increases the production or red blood cells — in smaller doses so that the percentage of red blood cells, or hematocrit, does not exceed the imposed limit.

"They are using EPO in smaller doses but more frequently," she revealed. "That way the hematocrit won't go that high but will be sustained relatively high, but it's not detectable. It can clear the system within 20 hours."

A single dose of EPO can provide a boost in endurance lasting up to two weeks. Although soccer players have not been caught using EPO, there is a strong potential that players could be using this.

Among those who believe soccer players might find EPO advantageous is Victor Conte, the man at the forefront of the BALCO laboratory scandal involving Barry Bonds, Marion Jones and many other professional athletes.

"Absolutely, EPO would benefit a soccer player enormously," Conte said. "What people fail to understand is that by increasing production of red blood cells you are transporting more oxygen to the muscles and you are also removing carbon dioxide, ammonia and lactic acid, all the byproducts of exercise. EPO is a recovery drug. It's a training drug."

Conte said he has not worked with any soccer players, but that when he supplied several NFL players with the substance, all reportedly had extra energy in the fourth quarter. He agrees with Ayotte's assessment.

"Lower doses are less detectable," he declared. "How quickly it clears depends on how it's administered. If you do 4000 I.U. and do it intravenously then it will clear on average in 19 hours. A subcutaneous injection takes on average 43 hours. Smarter guys use intravenous because it clears earlier."

Conte also agreed with WADA's position on the whereabouts rule.

"I think an athlete can do a lot in three weeks with intensive training," he said, "and with the use of anabolic steroids you can gain an explosive strength base that will last for some time."