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Vitaly Mutko promoted to newly created Russian deputy prime minister role Vitaly Mutko promoted to newly created Russian deputy prime minister role
(about 2 hours later)
The president Vladimir Putin replaced Russia’s sports minister Vitaly Mutko with his deputy on Wednesday, in a move possibly aimed at getting the controversial minister out of the international limelight prior to the World Cup in Russia in 2018. Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, replaced the nation’s sports minister Vitaly Mutko with his deputy on Wednesday, in a move possibly aimed at getting the controversial minister out of the international limelight prior to the 2018 World Cup.
However, the move is not a demotion: Mutko has in fact been promoted to a newly created role, that of deputy prime minister responsible for sport, tourism and youth policy. Mutko has been hit by scandal after scandal during his tenure, most notably the allegations of a widespread state-sponsored doping system under his watch, but he has always remained untouchable.However, the move is not a demotion: Mutko has in fact been promoted to a newly created role, that of deputy prime minister responsible for sport, tourism and youth policy. Mutko has been hit by scandal after scandal during his tenure, most notably the allegations of a widespread state-sponsored doping system under his watch, but he has always remained untouchable.
Mutko has been at the helm of the sports ministry during the whole of the doping scandal. A July report by the World Anti-doping Agency which alleged widespread doping across summer and winter sports with the collusion of state bodies said it was “inconceivable” that Mutko himself was unaware of the cover-ups. Mutko has been at the helm of the sports ministry during the whole of the doping scandal. A July report by the World Anti-Doping Agency which alleged widespread doping across summer and winter sports with the collusion of state bodies said it was “inconceivable” that Mutko himself was unaware of the cover-ups.
It also suggested Mutko may have personally intervened to cover up a positive doping test of a foreign footballer playing in the Russian league. The doping allegations led to a ban on all but one of Russia’s track and field athletes competing in this summer’s Rio Olympics as well as a blanket ban on the Paralympic team. It also suggested Mutko may have personally intervened to cover up a positive doping test of a foreign footballer playing in the Russian league. The doping allegations led to a ban on all but one of Russia’s track and field athletes competing in the Rio Olympics this summer as well as a blanket ban on the Paralympic team.
Russian officials have portrayed the ban as politicised, insisting that the situation is no worse in Russia than elsewhere, despite the overwhelming evidence provided and the testimony of whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov, who said he oversaw a massive rigged doping system with the collusion of the Russian authorities and security services. Russian officials have portrayed the ban as politicised, insisting that the situation is no worse in Russia than elsewhere, despite the overwhelming evidence provided and the testimony of the whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov, who said he oversaw a massive rigged doping system with the collusion of the Russian authorities and security services.
Mutko is known for his idiosyncratic English, employed during a speech for Russia’s World Cup bid in 2010 that went viral, and in a number of subsequent semi-comprehensible interviews. During the European Championship in France this year, after the game between Russia and England, Mutko was pitchside and appeared to egg on Russian fans as violent clashes were taking place in the stands.Mutko is known for his idiosyncratic English, employed during a speech for Russia’s World Cup bid in 2010 that went viral, and in a number of subsequent semi-comprehensible interviews. During the European Championship in France this year, after the game between Russia and England, Mutko was pitchside and appeared to egg on Russian fans as violent clashes were taking place in the stands.
The controversial politician will still have much involvement with the preparations for the 2018 World Cup. Russian media suggested he would remain head of the organising committee for the event, and his new deputy prime minister brief includes oversight of sport.The controversial politician will still have much involvement with the preparations for the 2018 World Cup. Russian media suggested he would remain head of the organising committee for the event, and his new deputy prime minister brief includes oversight of sport.
Mutko was also re-elected as chairman of the Russian Football Union last month. The union’s deputy chairman, Nikita Simonyan, told Tass news agency on Wednesday he expected Mutko to keep the post.Mutko was also re-elected as chairman of the Russian Football Union last month. The union’s deputy chairman, Nikita Simonyan, told Tass news agency on Wednesday he expected Mutko to keep the post.
Pavel Kolobkov, who had previously served as Mutko’s deputy, was made the new sports minister.Pavel Kolobkov, who had previously served as Mutko’s deputy, was made the new sports minister.