The FIFA football governing body will request information from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) on the role Russia’s Sport minister and member of FIFA’s executive committee, Vitaly Mutko played in Russia’s doping program, the Interfax news agency reported Tuesday.
On Monday, the findings of a report by a WADA independent commission into Russian doping were presented. The report’s chief author, Richard McLaren, concluded that Russian authorities, and particularly the Russian Sport Ministry, covered up doping by Russian athletes at the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014.
Data showing 580 failed drugs tests by Russian athletes across 30 sports indicate that doping in Russian sport is not limited to track and field.
FIFA, in a statement Tuesday said that it would be asking WADA for “all information regarding incidents of doping in Russian football which are referred to in McLaren’s report."
“Once FIFA receives this information then corresponding steps will be taken," the statement said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, while casting doubt on the “objectiveness” of McLaren’s report, said Monday that all officials implicated in doping will be suspended. The Kremlin on Tuesday clarified that Mutko will not be suspended as he has not been directly implicated.
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