Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/718140
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 24 AUGUST 2016 20 Sport SPORTTODAY OLYMPICS FOOTBALL CAS upholds Russia ban from Rio Paralympics RUSSIA has lost its appeal against a ban from next month's Rio Paralympics because of a state- sponsored doping programme, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Tuesday. The decision to exclude Rus- sia's team, initially made on Aug. 7 by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), means at least 260 competitors from the country are now set to miss the Sept. 7-18 event. The IPC went further than the International Olympic Commit- tee (IOC), which stopped short of a blanket ban on Russia at this month's Rio Games and left the decision instead in the hands of in- ternational sports federations. CAS, sport's highest tribunal, said its panel found the IPC "did not violate any procedural rule in dealing with the disciplinary pro- cess" which led to Russia's suspen- sion. It added the ruling was "pro- portionate in the circumstances" and that the Russian Paralympic Committee (RPC) "did not file any evidence contradicting the facts on which the IPC decision was based". Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko called the CAS decision un- lawful and politically motivated. "There were no reasons to dis- miss (the appeal) but it happened," Mutko was quoted as saying by the TASS news agency before adding "those bodies that should defend Paralympians do not do it and punish them instead". Russia can now appeal to the Swiss Federal Court although it can only overturn the CAS ruling on the basis of a procedural mis- take and not on the merits of the case. Alexei Karpenko, a lawyer rep- resenting the RPC, said an appeal would be considered once CAS had issued its full, reasoned deci- sion. The whole dispute centres on a World Anti-Doping Agency (WA- DA) report that found the Russian government and the FSB security service had, over years, covered up hundreds of doping cases across the majority of Olympic sports and Paralympic events. Russia previously said the IPC's decision was politically motivated and would punish dozens of inno- cent athletes. Although not widely followed or celebrated in Russia, where rights campaigners say many disabled people are marginalised by re- gressive social attitudes and in- adequate state support, Russian para-athletes are some of the best in the world. Their team topped the medal ta- ble at the 2014 Winter Paralympics in the Russian city of Sochi after taking second place behind China at London 2012. The country's exclusion from Rio will hit hard in a country that has long drawn pride and prestige from its history of sporting suc- cess. Following Tuesday's verdict, the IPC said Russia had been banned for its inability to fulfil its mem- bership "responsibilities and ob- ligations", particularly the anti- doping code. "Although we are pleased with the decision, it is not a day for cel- ebration and we have enormous sympathy for the Russian athletes who will now miss out on the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games," said IPC president Philip Craven in a state- ment. "It is a sad day for the Paralympic Movement but we hope also a new beginning," he said, adding that he wanted the ruling to be a "catalyst for change" in Russia. The IPC said the 267 places se- cured by Russian athletes would now be redistributed. Performers carry the Russian national flag during the closing ceremony of the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia Allardyce open to talks with Terry over England return ENGLAND manager Sam Al- lardyce has said he may consider holding talks with defender John Terry on a possible return to in- ternational football, but added he was not aware of the "political" issues that may arise as a conse- quence. Terry won the last of his 78 Eng- land caps in 2012, before quitting the national team after the Foot- ball Association pursued a case against him following accusa- tions of racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand. The Chelsea defender was subsequently banned for four matches by the FA, despite being cleared of the allegation in a Lon- don court. Allardyce did not rule out a re- turn for the former England cap- tain. "Maybe so. I think it depends on what John said. Maybe if I get the opportunity, I might have to give him a ring," he told British media. "But until I come to that selec- tion or that process, we'll wait and see. "I don't know what the political side of that might mean, if there is a political side. I'll have to have that conversation if I feel that John Terry may be a possibility." Allardyce said John Stones will benefit from working under man- ager Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and the defender has a great opportunity to cement his place in England's defence. "Potential is something that's going to be great in the future. I want it right now and he's (Stones) got a great chance of becoming it right now with working with Manchester City," he added. Allardyce will name his squad on Sunday for their first World Cup qualifier against Slovakia on Sept. 4. John Terry