FIFA has backed Russia to host an "outstanding" World Cup despite the publication of a damning report into alleged state-sanctioned doping at the 2014 Winter Olympics in the country.
The sporting world was shaken by Monday's report, commissioned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which claimed that Russia's government "directed, controlled and oversaw" urine sample manipulation to avoid cheating athletes being caught.
The International Olympic Committee could choose to ban Russia from the Rio Olympics next month in light of claims that "100 per cent" of urine samples of Russian competitors at the Sochi games had been tampered with.
The report, led by Canadian law professor Dr Richard McLaren, alleges that Russia chose to ramp up its doping cheating after picking up just 15 medals at the 2010 Winter Olympics. Russia won 33 medals in Sochi - more than any other country.
Russia's woeful performance at Euro 2016 and the fact all but one of their 23-man squad are based in the country have sparked fears that a similar state-sanctioned reaction could occur, but FIFA is confident that the crisis-hit nation is well-equipped to handle hosting its flagship tournament in two years.
"For the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017, as for all FIFA competitions, FIFA will be in charge of the anti-doping programme, ensuring the highest standards including the latest science and recommendations by WADA," a FIFA spokesperson told Goal.
"The analysis of the samples, as always, will be done in a WADA accredited laboratory, be it in Russia or abroad or both. It is WADA’s duty to ensure that laboratories fulfil the required criteria of independence and quality to be accredited in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code.
"At the moment, the accreditation of the Moscow Laboratory has been suspended by WADA.
"FIFA is confident that the Local Organising Committee and the Russian government are going to deliver an outstanding event for football fans two years from now."
The report was unveiled at a press conference in Toronto on Monday and also alleged that "at least one foreign footballer playing in the Premier League" had benefited from Russia's state-sponsored doping orchestration....
- Goal