By Rob Harris
The World Anti-Doping Agency is ready to help Fifa combat the potential use of stimulants from traditional African medicines before the World Cup.
WADA director general David Howman says he will respond to Fifa's appeal for help investigating how some African plants can give athletes an unfair advantage by providing energy boosts or helping to heal muscle injuries.
Howman says "we are only too happy to conduct more urgent research if required in advance of the World Cup."
There are fears that some plants can produce steroid byproducts that are not on WADA's list and aren't picked up in doping tests.
Fifa medical committee chairman Michel D'Hooghe says he isn't sure what all of these traditional medicines contain. - Sapa-AP