Germany get surprise visit from drug testers

Germany, preparing in Italy for the World Cup starting next month, were taken by surprise when six doping testers showed up unannounced on Wednesday.

"Six NADA (National Anti-Doping Agency) testers arrived today for an unexpected doping control," German soccer federation spokesman Harald Stenger told reporters. "The team was informed immediately after their training today.

"We were informed that 14 players would be tested," he said, adding they would not release the names of those undergoing tests, in line with Germany privacy laws.

International sports federations, including FIFA for soccer, have signed up to the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) new doping code and have agreed to a whereabout rule, that allows testers to know for an hour each day where they can locate athletes for in and out of competition tests.

WADA itself will only play a minor role ahead of the June 11-July 11 World Cup in South Africa with testing being done by world soccer's governing body FIFA.