Ban Russia from taking part in their World Cup

‘RODCHENKOV should be shot for lying, like Stalin would have done.’ Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you are presented with an on-the-record, clear-andindisputable death threat issued by the honorary president of Russia’s Olympic Committee. You are further asked to consider why there’s been so little official condemnation of such an outrageous incitement to murder. FIFA, possibly too busy shielding themselves from repeated accusations of corruption, have made it clear that even their pursuit of more information on state-sponsored doping won’t lead to Russia being stripped of the World Cup. The International Olympic Committee, meanwhile, have refused to comment on a former sports minister, a close ally of Vladimir Putin, publicly calling for the execution of Grigory Rodchenkov — the whistleblower who helped uncover details of Russia’s cheating. Now, given some of the outlandish statements politicians get away with, it’s probably not too shocking that a boorish old warhorse like Leonid Tyagachev should spew vile nonsense. But the knowledge that Rodchenkov is living in fear of his life, in protective custody in the USA, must give you pause for thought. It may convince a majority that Russia should be denied any sporting platform for the foreseeable future, with a ban for the upcoming Winter Olympics maybe just the start. FIFA contacting Rodchenkov to further investigate claims of the entire Russian football squad ‘juicing’ in recent years raises the question of whether the hosts should be denied entry to their own tournament next summer. Awkward. But arguably the right punishment for a nation that’s been gaming the system for decades, banking on sporting authorities turning a blind eye. Or else.