A GROUP representing European athletes is upset with the whereabouts requirement in the World Anti-Doping Agency's new code, which goes into effect on January 1.

The European Elite Athletes Association said in a statement yesterday that the rule "effectively places elite players under house arrest for one hour each day, 365 days a year".

Under the WADA code, athletes will be required to provide authorities with a daily one-hour window during which they must be available for testing or risk being penalised for missing a test.

"Like everyone else, professional sportsmen are protected by European employment legislation and human rights laws," EU Athletes president Yves Kummer said. "There is no doubt that certain aspects of the WADA Code interfere with players rights and we have asked the EC to decide whether this is lawful."

The group said it is also concerned with WADA's handling of personal data.

"We are totally committed to drug-free sport and we reiterate our call to WADA to negotiate with player associations to create a fair and effective anti-doping policy," Kummer said.