Russia
Russians will not be involved in drug testing procedures at the World Cup as FIFA looks to reassure teams that samples cannot be tampered with, the governing body’s medical committee chairman Michel D’Hooghe has told the Times newspaper.
A 2016 report commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and compiled by Canadian sports lawyer [Richard McLaren](
Soccer was among the sports implicated in the probe and the sport’s global governing body are taking no chances at the Russia-hosted World Cup.
“My basic condition to lead the anti-doping policy in Russia is that everything would be done from the very beginning to the last point by FIFA without Russian intervention,” D’Hooghe told the Times.
How FIFA will avoid Russian intervention
“That means the chaperones, who take the players from the field, will be designated by FIFA and will not be Russian.”
Russia has acknowledged some findings of the McLaren report but has repeatedly denied the existence of a state-sponsored doping programme.
D’Hooghe said players at the June 14-July 15 finals could be accompanied by an official from their national associations with a medical doctor preferred.
“The players will be brought to a doping control room where there will be only FIFA doctors, two FIFA medical people and no entrance for anybody who is not allowed to be there,” Belgian D’Hooghe added.
“Everything will be sealed and brought to the control of the laboratory in Lausanne… I told the people in Russia that if something goes wrong, for the first time they will not be criticised as it will not be their responsibility.”
[SUGGESTED READING:IOC bans Russia from 2018 Winter Olympics](
http://www.africanews.com/2017/12/06/ioc-bans-russia-from-2018-winter-olympics/)
Go to video
FIFA's revamped club World Cup Draw: What you need to know
Go to video
Football: No African on the list of the best players in the world
00:45
Tennis champion Iga Swiatek accepts a one-month suspension in doping case
01:41
Brazilian footballer, Vinicius Junior, speaks out against racism in the sport
00:56
World's oldest active footballer to return for 40th season at age 58
01:04
Leagues and unions launch complaint against FIFA over calendar