– Russia warns ahead of World Cup

The Russian Football Union (RFU) is warning players against drinking “exotic tea” or smoking shisha pipes as it tries to avoid any doping cases ahead of its home World Cup this summer.

In a guide to help players not to fail drug tests by accident, the RFU said yesterday that players should be wary of accidentally consuming banned substances.

It recommends players always read the label on exercise supplements and check online whether they are contaminated with banned products.

The RFU also advised players “not to consume exotic tea,” to avoid smoking shisha, and to be wary of possibly contaminated meat from China or South America, adding: “Be aware. Your career depends on it!”

It was not immediately clear what prompted the tea warning. A 2012 study suggested green tea could make testosterone appear lower on drug tests, though that would not constitute an offence.

As for shisha, an Algerian player was banned after a 2015 positive test for cocaine he said he accidentally consumed via a friend’s pipe.

The Russian guide comes as FIFA investigates allegations that positive drug tests in Russian football in previous years were covered up. Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko said last month FIFA is investigating current Russia international Ruslan Kambolov.

Mutko said the case was “not linked to the national team.”

There is also a FIFA investigation into Ivan Knyazev, a former defender with the Russia Under-21 team, Mutko told the Tass state news agency at the time. Both players “have given evidence and we’ll see where it goes,” Mutko said.

Russia has been rocked by multiple doping tests across many sports in recent years, and of a state-sponsored cover-up. The government denies ever supporting drug cheats.