Fears for 2018 World Cup as FIFA call on whistleblower to help catch Russian state-sponsored doping cheats

  • FIFA want to speak to whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov about Russian doping
  • Rodchenkov blew scandal open after fleeing to USA, where he is in fear of his life
  • If FIFA access extra testimony, Russia World Cup preparation could be torn apart
  • Richard McLaren's evidence suggests at least 34 Russian footballers - including entire 2014 World Cup squad - benefited from state-sponsored doping scheme

FIFA are trying to arrange talks with whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov to obtain extra evidence that Russian footballers benefited from their nation's state-supported doping programme, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

The world governing body have confirmed the development to this newspaper, with a spokesman saying: 'Discussions in this respect are ongoing and FIFA is analysing the various options at its disposal.'

The move will intensify Russia's sporting crisis two weeks before the 2018 World Cup draw at the Kremlin. It looks increasingly likely that Russia will be banned from the 2018 Winter Olympics over doping, effectively branding them a rogue sporting state.

 

FIFA want to speak to whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov about Russian footballers doping

New evidence of Russian doping has been acquired by the World Anti-Doping Agency

The move will intensify Russia's sporting crisis two weeks before the 2018 World Cup draw

FIFA's move is sure to irritate Russian president Vladimir Putin, who does not expect the governing body to take any action against his country.


Rodchenkov is the former Moscow lab boss who blew the scandal wide open after fleeing to the USA, where he remains in fear of his life in protective custody. He is despised by Russia's hierarchy for his whistleblowing, with a top Olympic official, Leonid Tyagachev, saying on Friday that he should be executed. 'Rodchenkov should be shot for lying, like Stalin would have done,' he said.

If FIFA access extra testimony, Russia could potentially have their home World Cup preparations torn apart via sanctions in the build-up — although there is no chance the tournament will be taken away.

Vitaly Mutko was named in Richard McLaren's files as having personal oversight of the scheme

Vitaly Mutko was named in Richard McLaren's files as having personal oversight of the scheme

Rodchenkov smuggled a trove of doping documentation to the USA and those, along with evidence amassed by Canadian investigator Professor Richard McLaren, have demonstrated state-supporting doping in Russia. Some organisations have now in effect accepted McLaren's evidence as fact, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC). They have begun handing out sanctions up to life bans for dopers nailed by the evidence.

As the Mail on Sunday first revealed, the so-called 'McLaren files' include evidence that at least 34 Russian footballers — including the entire World Cup squad of 2014 — were alleged beneficiaries of the state scheme, either being supplied with doping products, being 'protected' from testing, or having failed doping tests covered up.

FIFA has supposedly been probing the cases since McLaren started feeding them details in December last year but has consistently declined to detail that work. A spokesman said: 'Investigations are ongoing in close collaboration with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and Prof McLaren.'

McLaren's report said that at least 34 Russian footballers were beneficiaries of state scheme

McLaren's report said that at least 34 Russian footballers were beneficiaries of state scheme

FIFA say they have tried to contact Rodchenkov via WADA and McLaren, 'without success so far'. This newspaper has now provided FIFA with contact details for his legal representatives. Renewed efforts will be made to speak with Rodchenkov, who, as we revealed last week, has given fresh evidence to the IOC about doping in Russia, helping them make cases against some Winter Olympic athletes.

Arguably the truest test of FIFA's willingness to stand up to Russia will be their willingness to take action before the World Cup starts. Their track record does not inspire confidence judging by the case of former Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko, named in McLaren's reports as having personal oversight of the doping scheme. It is understood McLaren has made it clear to FIFA that Mutko was involved.

Yet Mutko, who led Russia's bid to stage the World Cup and is now deputy prime minister, remains in a senior football role as the president of the Russian FA. Asked why this was suitable FIFA declined to comment.