Russia could play in World Cup 2022 as a ‘neutral’ team despite four-year global sporting ban over doping scandal
RUSSIA have been banned from the 2022 Qatar World Cup - but may bizarrely be allowed to play as a "neutral" team.
The world anti-doping agency (Wada) has blocked the country from using its flag, anthem and team name at all global sporting events for the next four years after tampering with drugs data.
But individual athletes can still compete in next summer’s Tokyo Olympics under a neutral flag if they can prove they are untainted by the doping scandal.
And if Russia’s football team qualifies for Qatar, the door has been left open for Fifa to let them play under a different banner.
Jonathan Taylor, who chairs Wada's compliance review committee, confirmed: “If they qualify, a team representing Russia cannot participate.
“But if there is a mechanism put in place, then they can apply to participate on a neutral basis, not as representatives of Russia.”
Fifa has confirmed it will speak to Wada to "clarify the extent of the decision in regards to football".
But Russia will definitely be allowed to play at Euro 2020, which they have already qualified for, because it is not a global competition.
Wada's ruling comes four years after a report accused Russian authorities of helping cover up drug abuse in track and field athletics and running a state-sponsored doping programme.
The Russian anti-doping agency (Rusada) was suspended for three years, while the country was banned from last year's Winter Olympics after evidence emerged of more cover-ups at the 2014 Sochi Games.
That ban on Rusada was controversially lifted last year on the condition they handed over data from its Moscow lab from 2012 to 2015.
But investigators found that data had been manipulated.
For too long, Russian doping has detracted from clean sport.
Wada president Sir Craig Reedie
On Monday, Wada declared Rusada non-compliant with the world anti-doping code and handed out its most severe ever sanction.
Wada president Sir Craig Reedie said: “For too long, Russian doping has detracted from clean sport.
“The blatant breach by the Russian authorities of Rusada’s reinstatement conditions demanded a robust response. That is exactly what has been delivered.
“Russia was afforded every opportunity to get its house in order and re-join the global anti-doping community for the good of its athletes and of the integrity of sport.
“But it chose instead to continue in its stance of deception and denial.”
Russia has 21 days to appeal the ruling and take it to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
But Rusada chief Yury Ganus said: “There is no chance of winning this case in court.
“This is a tragedy. Clean athletes are seeing their rights limited.”
Wada, however, have also been criticised for not enforcing stricter sanctions - namely a blanket ban on all Russian sports stars.
At the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, 168 Russians competed under the banner "Olympic Athlete from Russia", which will happen again at Tokyo next year.
NOT ENOUGH
And despite voting in favour of yesterday's ruling, Wada vice-president Linda Helleland admitted: “I am afraid this is not enough.
“I wanted sanctions that cannot be watered down. We owe it to the clean athletes to implement the sanctions as strongly as possible.”
Travis Tygart, chief executive of the US anti-doping agency, fumed: “To allow Russia to escape a complete ban is yet another devastating blow to clean athletes, the integrity of sport and the rule of law.
“Russia has committed the most intentional, deep and broad level of corruption on the entire sports world that has put money over morals, abuse over health and corruption over the Olympic values and all athlete’s dreams.
“Now clean athletes, sports fans and sponsors are having to suffer through another horrendous Groundhog Day of Russian corruption and domination.”
Russia’s ban extends to hosting or bidding to host any global sporting events, including the 2032 Olympics.
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But they will still play at Euro 2020 next summer and host games at St Petersburg because Uefa is not defined as a ‘major events organisation’ with regards to anti-doping.
Russia, who hosted the last World Cup, will also enter next September's qualifying for Qatar as normal.
Should they reach the 2022 finals, Fifa could let them play without their flag, anthem and name.