Mutko temporarily steps aside as Russian Football president to fight IOC ban

Moscow, December 26: Vitaly Mutko has temporarily stepped aside as president of the Russian Football Union (RFS) to contest a lifetime ban from involvement in future Olympic Games.

RFS director general Alexander Alayev has been named acting president of the governing body after the decision was announced following a session of its Executive Board on Monday (December 25).

Mutko, who is Russia's deputy prime minister, was banned by the IOC this month after the release of the Schmid Report, commissioned by the IOC, confirmed allegations of widespread manipulation of anti-doping procedures during his tenure as Russian sports minister, chiefly at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.

But he is now set to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

"I have decided to file the claim in the CAS tomorrow [Tuesday]," he told reporters.

"So that our organisations are not disturbed during the legal investigation... I have asked to suspend my duties for up to six months.

"One of the union's regulations state that if a president is unable to fulfill his duties, he should step down.

"I am not resigning and my mandate will be still valid.

"I will definitely return after the period of six months, perhaps earlier."

Also chairman of the World Cup 2018 local organising committee, Mutko - who has denied the existence of a state-sponsored doping programme - does not expect his appeal to affect his work in that role ahead of the tournament, which begins on June 14.

He added: "Regarding the issues of relationship with FIFA and the organising committee, as long as the president [Vladimir Putin] trusts me, I continue to work as deputy premier and oversee the preparations for the world championships."

Source: OPTA