FIFA called on to respond to Russian doping claims
June 24, 2018
We note today’s report from journalist Nick Harris in the UK press regarding the doping of footballers from Russia, and FIFA’s continuing silence about the matter, as further evidence that nothing has changed at FIFA.
At best, FIFA’s silence on these issues suggests FIFA was trying to protect their World Cup tournament and, at worst, it suggests complicity in a state-sanctioned cover-up.
Time after time – be it from football administrator, official, commentator, observer or journalist – the refrain is that the way of doing business at FIFA under current President Gianni Infantino is no different from that under former President Sepp Blatter.
The continuing lack of transparency and accountability around the management and administration of the game will continue to be called-out and held to account.
#NewFIFANow accepts the advice of experts including Richard Pound and Professor Richard Maclaren who both state that FIFA’s management of the issues arising from the evidence of a doping regime for some Russian footballers is unsatisfactory.
While the world enjoys the World Cup in Russia, the performances of honest players and teams, and the warmth and hospitality of ordinary Russian people, the fact is this tournament was already tainted by the decision-making process of FIFA that awarded this World Cup to Russia and the next one to Qatar.
Those decisions have never properly been accounted for, and will continue to plague world football administration for the next four years also.
Evidence of footballers’ involvement in Russia’s proven doping regime only further undermines all those allegedly involved in it, as well as the credibility of the game. FIFA owes it to the game, and to the world, to come clean.
ENDS
We note today’s report from journalist Nick Harris in the UK press regarding the doping of footballers from Russia, and FIFA’s continuing silence about the matter, as further evidence that nothing has changed at FIFA.
At best, FIFA’s silence on these issues suggests FIFA was trying to protect their World Cup tournament and, at worst, it suggests complicity in a state-sanctioned cover-up.
Time after time – be it from football administrator, official, commentator, observer or journalist – the refrain is that the way of doing business at FIFA under current President Gianni Infantino is no different from that under former President Sepp Blatter.
The continuing lack of transparency and accountability around the management and administration of the game will continue to be called-out and held to account.
#NewFIFANow accepts the advice of experts including Richard Pound and Professor Richard Maclaren who both state that FIFA’s management of the issues arising from the evidence of a doping regime for some Russian footballers is unsatisfactory.
While the world enjoys the World Cup in Russia, the performances of honest players and teams, and the warmth and hospitality of ordinary Russian people, the fact is this tournament was already tainted by the decision-making process of FIFA that awarded this World Cup to Russia and the next one to Qatar.
Those decisions have never properly been accounted for, and will continue to plague world football administration for the next four years also.
Evidence of footballers’ involvement in Russia’s proven doping regime only further undermines all those allegedly involved in it, as well as the credibility of the game. FIFA owes it to the game, and to the world, to come clean.
ENDS