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Doping officers arrive at Russia training base ahead of World Cup last 16 clash against Spain
Doping officers have visited Russia’s training base in Novogorsk to test players ahead of the team’s last 16 game against Spain in Moscow on Sunday.
“We will quickly conduct all the tests and continue our preparation for the crucial game against Spain,” the Russian team’s official account tweeted on Friday.
The Russian squad faced controversy in the buildup to their home World Cup after the former head of Moscow anti-doping laboratory, Grigory Rodchenkov, stated that team members had allegedly taken performance-enhancing drugs.
На базу в Новогорск приехали представители допинг-контроля из ФИФА.Быстро сдадим все анализы и продолжим подготовку к важнейшей игре с Испанией! pic.twitter.com/DJc9cQ50RG
— Сборная России (@TeamRussia) 29 июня 2018 г.
However, numerous investigations by FIFA and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) did not reveal any doping violations committed by Russian players.
Last week, FIFA rejected claims by UK tabloid the Mail on Sunday that it had covered up cases of doping by Russian footballers.
So far, no doping violations have been registered at the World Cup after more than 2,700 tests taken during the first two weeks were confirmed to be negative.
Russia have qualified for the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time when playing as an independent nation.
They finished second behind Uruguay in Group A, securing two wins from their three games.
Spain, World Cup winners in 2010, booked top spot in Group B, finishing on five points after one win and two draws in their three games.
The pair meet at Moscow’s 80,000-capacity Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday.