After a highly successful opening round for abstract submissions, the Play the Game 2009 programme organisers have decided to open a new call for papers. Academics, journalists, sports practitioners and other sports stakeholders are encouraged to send presentation proposals to the conference organisers by 31 March 2009, 15:00 CET.

The new WADA whereabouts rule requiring athletes to report their whereabouts more comprehensively is proving to be very unpopular. EU is urging WADA to reconsider the rule, UEFA director Platini recommends not to follow the rule and Belgian athletes have filed a court challenge to decide whether the rule is violating human rights.

The IOC charter states that “only sports that adopt and implement the anti-doping code, can be included or remain in the programme.” According to the minutes from a WADA executive board meeting in May 2008, IOC was aware that several countries and IFs were not compliant with the WADA anti-doping code when they competed in Beijing.

In light of the high quality of abstracts and storylines recieved thus far, Play the Game has decided to extend the submission deadline for presentation submissions for our 2009 conference until 31 March 2009, 15:00 CET.

On Thursday 5 February 2009 journalist and author Dr Declan Hill will explain how match-fixing is threatening to engulf football at the press launch for Play the Game 2009, taking place in London at the Royal Danish Embassy from 14.00 – 16.00. Hill will also speak at a press event in Copenhagen on Wednesday 4 February at 18.00 – 20.00 co-organised by Play the Game and Transparency International Denmark.