Players' chiefs claim the plan to drug test the top Premier League stars at home is an invasion of privacy. Under the World Anti-Doping Association's (WADA) new code, a pool of 30 elite players will be forced to undergo up to five tests a year - not including those carried out after matches.

The move is to bring footballers into line with Olympic athletes, who must provide details on their location for an hour each day, including holidays.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said the players' union opposed some of the new regulations.

Taylor said: "We feel that to invade the privacy of a player's home would be a step too far.

"If we complain about anything to do with drug-testing then people think we might have something to hide, but football's record is extremely good and there has been a virtual absence of any performance-enhancing drugs, and that goes back decades.

"We do appreciate that football is a major spectator sport and we wish to co-operate, but football should not be treated in the same way as individual sports that do have a problem with drugs, such as athletics, cycling and weightlifting.

"For most of the year the whereabouts of players is always known - either at their training ground or matches."

Taylor said the PFA would take the matter up with the Football Association and drug-testing body UK Sport.