Particular attention will be paid to the Russian national football team regarding doping during the European Championship in France, the UEFA head of medical and anti-doping Marc Vouillamoz said Tuesday, the TASS news agency reported.
“Of course, we are aware of the problems that Russia has regarding the issue of doping … we are paying special attention to the Russian team," Vouillamoz said at a press conference.
Tournament play begins on June 10, in 10 host cities throughout France. The Russia squad will play England on Saturday, June 11 — they are in Group B, along with Wales and Slovakia.
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has been working closely with British Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD) to monitor the Russian program, Vouillamoz said, TASS reported.
Russia's anti-doping agency RUSADA signed an agreement with UKAD on Feb. 1, outlining cooperation with drug-testing programs in Russia until RUSADA returns to its former status.
On Nov. 9, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accused the Russian Sports Ministry and the Federal Security Service (FSB) of "meddling" in the work of the WADA-accredited anti-doping lab based in Moscow.
Russia's athletics federation was also provisionally banned from international competition by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) following accusations of "state-sponsored doping" by a WADA independent commission report.
