NYON, Switzerland -- Doping tests for players will increase next season with the start of the qualifying for the 2008 Euro championship, with testing expanded to all European tournaments, UEFA said Thursday.

Seven positive doping cases were reported from in-competition tests of 914 players this season. Middlesbrough defender Abel Xavier, who tested positive for anabolic steroids at a UEFA Cup match, received an 18-month suspension.

Four cases involved the use of recreational drugs by youth players. Two occurred at women's tournaments for not declaring Beta-2 to treat asthma.

Marc Vouillamoz, head of UEFA's anti-doping unit, said all 32 clubs in last season's UEFA Champions League were visited for out-of-competition tests by UEFA's doping control officers. Some 423 players were checked, with no doping cases reported.