World Cup 2018: Fifa close doping case against Russian squad members due to 'insufficient evidence'

Players in the squad for this summer's tournament have been cleared

Russia open their World Cup campaign at the Luzhniki on June 14 (Getty)

Fifa, in agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) has closed its investigation into possible anti-doping rule violations by Russian footballers selected in the 2018 World Cup squad after finding 'insufficient evidence' to assert that players had broken rules.

The investigation, sparked by findings in the McLaren reports, involved the re-testing of samples, searches for scratch marks on samples and interviews with key witnesses including famed whistleblower Dr Grigory Rodchenkov.

But Fifa failed to find evidence of wrongdoing and, having consulted Wada, have closed the investigation against players deemed high priority as they had been selected for this summer's World Cup. Enquiries continue into those not selected for the upcoming tournament in Russia.

A statement from world football's governing body read:

"Following the publication of the McLaren reports, Fifa launched investigations into possible anti-doping rule violations by football players, prioritising high-level players against whom a suspicion had been raised, in particular those who might participate in the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia.

"Fifa can today confirm that the investigations concerning all Russian players named for the provisional squad of the Fifa World Cup in Russia have been completed, with the result that insufficient evidence was found to assert an anti-doping rule violation. FIFA has informed the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) of its conclusions, and Wada in turn has agreed with Fifa’s decision to close the cases.

"Fifa’s investigations included the following:

• An assessment of all information and evidence contained in the McLaren report, with the support of scientific and legal experts.
• Contact was made with Professor McLaren to obtain further details from him and discuss the approach that Fifa should take.
• Samples taken by Fifa and the confederations that had been stored at WADA-accredited laboratories of all players mentioned in the McLaren reports and high-level players, were re-analysed for prohibited substances, and all results were negative.
• Samples seized by Wada from the Moscow laboratory and stored at the Lausanne laboratory were re-analysed for prohibited substances. All results were negative.
• Samples seized by Wada from the Moscow laboratory and stored at the Lausanne laboratory were subjected to forensic analysis (for scratches/marks and abnormal salt levels). For this process, Fifa applied the methodology recommended by Wada and used by the International Olympic Committee. None of the samples analysed showed marks that were typical of tampering and the urine did not show any suspect salt values.
• Questions were sent to Dr Grigory Rodchenkov and his answers assessed with the support of scientific and legal experts.
• The Laboratory Information Management System data of the Moscow laboratory provided by Wada was assessed with the support of scientific and legal experts.
• Target tests of players: Fifa performed several unannounced targeted doping controls in the process of the investigations and the Russian squad has been one of the most tested teams prior to the Fifa World Cup.

"In accordance with the Fifa Anti-Doping Regulations and the World Anti-Doping Code, Fifa cannot provide any names of individuals involved in the investigations. Investigations of several players unrelated to the Fifa World Cup are still ongoing and Fifa will continue to work on these cases in cooperation with Wada. Further updates will be provided in due course."