Russia's deputy PM steps down as Russian Football Union president

Moscow, Dec 19 (IANS) Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko has left his position as the president of the Russian Football Union, the organization confirmed on Wednesday. The president of the Russian football league, Sergey Pryadkin, is set to chair the union provisionally until February 22, when the RFU is scheduled to elect a new president. Mutko had been in charge of the national soccer union twice, between 2005-09 and a second stint that started in 2015, during which he led the preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, reports Efe news. On December 5, 2017, the International Olympic Committee decided to exclude Mutko, who served as Russia's sports minister during 2012-16, from any future participation in the Olympic Games over an alleged massive state-sponsored doping program. In a joint press conference with FIFA President Gianni Infantino held during the 2018 World Cup draw, Mutko denied the existence of any state programs related to doping in his country. The politician, 60, has appealed the IOC's decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which has yet to assign a date for a hearing.
--IANS kk/sed