Russia: Vitaly Mutko suspends his role as president of the Russian Football Federation for 6 months

Vitaly Leontyevich Mutko, the Russian deputy prime minister in charge of sports, has suspended his duties as president of the Russian Football Federation in order to challenge his lifetime ban from the Olympic Games by the IOC because of the institutionalised doping scandal in Russian athletics, Mutko stated on 25/12/2017.

"For the period of the proceedings I will suspend my work at the Russian Football Union for six months," stated Vitaly Mutko, adding that he will continues to work as deputy prime minister and oversee the preparations for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, of which he chairman of the local organising committee for the tournament, scheduled from 14/06 to 15/07/2018.

Vitaly Mutko announced his intention to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Lausanne, SUI) as of Tuesday 26/12/2017. "I do not resign, my mandate remains valid," said the Russian leader. Managing director Alexander Alayev who will lead the Russian Football Federation in the next six months.

• Vitaly Mutko had stated that…