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Russian Euro 2016 Football Squad Under Scrutiny Following Doping Scandal

Russia's team poses before friendly match against Serbia.

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.

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