Russia has been banned from all major international sports for four years for doping offences.
The ban, which would see Russia banned from next year’s Olympics in Tokyo as well as the 2022 World Cup, was ruled by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) who voted unanimously in favour of the disciplinary action.
However, under the ban, Russia would still be able to compete in the 2020 European football championships and Russian athletes would still be able to compete in the Olympics under a neutral banner.
WADA’s executive committee came to the decision following a special meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland after Russia was accused of running a systemic doping programme which involved deleting important laboratory evidence.
WADA’s president, Sir Craig Reedie, said about the ban: “For too long, Russian doping has detracted from clean sport. 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.
“As a result, the wada ExCo has responded in the strongest possible terms, while protecting the rights of Russian athletes that can prove that they were not involved and did not benefit from these fraudulent acts.”
Russia now have 21 days to appeal the decision made by the World Anti-Doping Agency.