Caffeine faces ban from the AFL | Thebigtip

Doping body to consider Caffeine ban - abc.net.au

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) will consider banning caffeine, after it was revealed that uppers and downers are used by players throughout the AFL.

WADA chief John Fahey said the organisation's medical committee could place caffeine back on the banned substances list amid fresh concerns over its effect on athletes.

The use of caffeine and sleeping pills by AFL players hit the headlines this week after Richmond star Ben Cousins was rushed to hospital and placed in intensive care for one night.

Cousins, a recovering drug addict, said he suffered an adverse reaction to some sleeping medication prescribed by his doctor.

There has been speculation that his collapse was linked to the use of caffeine tablets lke No Doz, which many AFL players take just before games.

The AFL denies the use of uppers and downers is common among players, but John Fahey says he is worried about the issue.

"It concerns me from the point of view of, firstly, the health of athletes," he said.

"Anything that's taken in large quantities, you have to be a little bit concerned about the impact it might have on the health of an athlete.

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