AFLE ESTABLISHES ANTI-DOPING PARTNERSHIP

As the American Football League Europe continues to build its foundations, league officials have moved to address an area often overlooked in start-up competitions.

The AFLE announced on Wednesday that it had entered into a partnership with International Doping Tests & Management (IDTM), establishing what the league describes as a comprehensive World Anti-Doping Agency-compliant testing programme covering all eight franchises.

While anti-doping programmes are standard practice across established international sports organisations, they are not always among the first priorities for emerging leagues attempting to gain a foothold in a crowded marketplace. For the AFLE, however, the agreement appears designed to reinforce one of the messages repeatedly emphasised by league leadership since its launch: that the competition intends to build long-term structures rather than simply stage games.

Under the agreement, Stockholm-based IDTM will oversee doping controls throughout the 2026 season, utilising its international network of doping control officers to conduct testing across the league’s footprint.

“The AFLE was built on the principles of transparency, integrity and long-term responsibility, and that extends to our athletes,” league MD and COO Moritz Heisler explained. “Partnering with IDTM gives us access to world-class anti-doping infrastructure from day one. We want every player, fan and partner to know that the AFLE stands for clean competition.”

The move adds another layer to the league’s broader effort to position itself as a professionally governed alternative within the European football landscape. Since launching earlier this year, the AFLE has placed significant emphasis on governance, commercial partnerships and operational consistency, while commissioner Andreas Nommensen and Heisler have repeatedly spoken about creating structures capable of supporting sustainable growth.

IDTM arrives with extensive experience in international sport, having previously delivered anti-doping programmes for organisations including World Athletics, FIBA, United World Wrestling and the World Curling Federation. According to the AFLE, the company’s services are ISO-certified and fully compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code and associated international standards.