FIFA outlined its position in a statement issued on Friday ahead of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) conference on doping to be held in Copenhagen from 3-5 March where the harmonised Anti-Doping Code (ADC) is set to be approved.

FIFA, WADA and experts from other international team sports federations held a series of meetings earlier this year to harmonise the ADC, but the sanctions to be imposed on players and athletes who test positive has still to be discussed.

"It is FIFA's view that the proposed two-year ban cited in the ADC is more of a general indicator and world football's governing body wishes to have the flexibility to impose sanctions that may be less stringent or more than the proposal made in the ADC," said the FIFA statement.

"Depending on the gravity of the violation of the doping control regulations, even a life-long ban may be considered."

FIFA first introduced doping controls at the 1966 World Cup finals in England and has stepped up prevention, research and control efforts since in the fight against doping.