FIFA has announced players in the 2010 Fifa World Cup have had a clean doping record – and no player has tested positive for illegal substances in the tournament thus far.

Fifa chief medical officer Jiri Dvorak told media this is the fourth consecutive tournament to have zero doping incidents – following the precedent set during the tournaments in 1998, 2002 and 2006.

Dvorak says the football governing body is impressed with the refereeing in the tournament and called on officials to be stricter against players who commit dangerous fouls and the use of elbows in tackles – adding any player guilty of a tackle involving the use of an elbow should be given a red card.

According to FIFA statistics – 172 yellow cards were issued during the group stages while 13 players – including Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Itumaleng Khune – were given straight red cards.