Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko, who is also head of the Russian Football Union (RFU), says he has been barred from running for reelection for a place on the FIFA Council.
RFE/RL: Russian soccer chief barred from FIFA reelection
(FILES) This file photo taken on March 7 shows Russia's deputy prime minister and the country's Football Union (RFU) chief Vitaly Mutko speaking to the media after an executive committee meeting of the Russian Football Union in Moscow. FIFA has barred Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko, chief organiser of the World Cup to be held in his country next year, from taking up a seat on the world body's ruling council, a source close to FIFA told AFP on March 10. The source said the decision by a FIFA watchdog had been taken because of potential conflicts of interest with Mutko's government role. But the source denied there was any link to accusations made in an international inquiry that Mutko was involved in doping in Russian sport.
