Russia should not try to delay the start of its four-year ban from major sporting events for doping as it will only miss out on future events instead, the head of the World Anti-Doping Agency's independent Compliance Review Committee said on Friday.

Even if it manages to extend any appeal proceedings until next summer and send athletes to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the meantime, it would be banned from the Paris 2024 Games instead, Jonathan Taylor told Reuters in an interview.

"We allow due process. They have to have their day in court. If that causes a delay, if it means it misses Tokyo, it does not lose its power as it covers Paris 2024. That's the stick we are using so they don't drag it out," Taylor said.

WADA banned Russia from the world's top sporting events on Monday for four years - including the next summer and winter Olympics and the 2022 soccer World Cup - for tampering with doping tests.

A final decision on the ban, however, will be taken by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, where Russia is planning to appeal the sanctions.

WADA took action after concluding that Moscow had planted fake evidence and deleted files linked to positive doping tests in laboratory data that could have helped identify drug cheats.

The ban means Russian athletes will not be able to perform at the Olympics in Tokyo next year under their own flag and national anthem. Individual athletes with proven clean records may compete as neutral participants.

A long legal battle over the ban could potentially last months and even until Tokyo in July, a similar scenario to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, where Russians tried to earn the right to participate through CAS.

"It is a court case and there are no guarantees," Taylor, who headed WADA's independent Compliance Review Committee into Russia, said.

"The standard requires an expedited hearing, but also a fair hearing."

"I would hope and expect it will be done by March or April but I cannot guarantee that. There is a risk the Russians will drag it out," he said.

Too soft?

Many western athletes' groups and anti-doping bodies among others have been critical of WADA's decision, saying it was far too soft on Russia.

But Taylor said that while he accepted criticism that his committee had not gone far enough and banned the Russians outright, he still thought the decision went further than expected.

"In Russia they have reacted saying it is outrageous and a harsh ban. I do think it is a ban that strikes a blow to the pride of the nation," he said.

"No Russian flag, no Russian colours, no Russian president to accept the plaudits. Russia will not be there (in Tokyo or the 2022 soccer World Cup), President Putin will not be there. If Russia win the World Cup he will not be there to celebrate."

But Russia will play at Euro 2020 and host games as well, while also staging the 2021 Champions League final - all events that are not covered by the ban, which includes Olympics and world championships but not continental competitions.

"There are some who say the Euros and the Champions League should be covered. We had to draw the line somewhere. No one expected us to go as far as world championships, and now they are criticising us for not having gone further."

Russia should not try to delay the start of its four-year ban from major sporting events for doping as it will only miss out on future events instead, the head of the World Anti-Doping Agency's independent Compliance Review Committee said on Friday.

Russia should not try to delay the start of its four-year ban from major sporting events for doping as it will only miss out on future events instead, the head of the World Anti-Doping Agency's independent Compliance Review Committee said on Friday. Even if it manages to extend any appeal proceedings until next summer and send athletes to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the meantime, it would be banned from the Paris 2024 Games instead, Jonathan Taylor told Reuters in an interview. "We allow due process. They have to have their day in court. If that causes a delay, if it means it misses Tokyo, it does not lose its power as it covers Paris 2024. That's the stick we are using so they don't drag it out," Taylor said. WADA banned Russia from the world's top sporting events on Monday for four years - including the next summer and winter Olympics and the 2022 soccer World Cup - for tampering with doping tests. A final decision on the ban, however, will be taken by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, where Russia is planning to appeal the sanctions. WADA took action after concluding that Moscow had planted fake evidence and deleted files linked to positive doping tests in laboratory data that could have helped identify drug cheats. The ban means Russian athletes will not be able to perform at the Olympics in Tokyo next year under their own flag and national anthem. Individual athletes with proven clean records may compete as neutral participants. A long legal battle over the ban could potentially last months and even until Tokyo in July, a similar scenario to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, where Russians tried to earn the right to participate through CAS. "It is a court case and there are no guarantees," Taylor, who headed WADA's independent Compliance Review Committee into Russia, said. "The standard requires an expedited hearing, but also a fair hearing." "I would hope and expect it will be done by March or April but I cannot guarantee that. There is a risk the Russians will drag it out," he said. Too soft? Many western athletes' groups and anti-doping bodies among others have been critical of WADA's decision, saying it was far too soft on Russia. But Taylor said that while he accepted criticism that his committee had not gone far enough and banned the Russians outright, he still thought the decision went further than expected. "In Russia they have reacted saying it is outrageous and a harsh ban. I do think it is a ban that strikes a blow to the pride of the nation," he said. "No Russian flag, no Russian colours, no Russian president to accept the plaudits. Russia will not be there (in Tokyo or the 2022 soccer World Cup), President Putin will not be there. If Russia win the World Cup he will not be there to celebrate." But Russia will play at Euro 2020 and host games as well, while also staging the 2021 Champions League final - all events that are not covered by the ban, which includes Olympics and world championships but not continental competitions. "There are some who say the Euros and the Champions League should be covered. We had to draw the line somewhere. No one expected us to go as far as world championships, and now they are criticising us for not having gone further."

WADA committee head urges Russia not to drag out ban appeal

South African 800m Olympic champion Caster Semenya has said she was "unquestionably a woman", after the IAAF denied reports that it would argue that she should be classified as a biological male.&nbsp;

Semenya, 28, issued the statement on Thursday ahead of a landmark hearing at the Court of Arbitration (CAS) next week that will challenge a proposed rule by the International Athletics Federation (IAAF) aiming to restrict testosterone levels in female runners.

"Ms Semenya is unquestionably a woman. She is a heroine and an inspiration to many around the world," her lawyers said in a statement.

"She asks that she be respected and treated as any other athlete." The rules would force so-called "hyperandrogenic" athletes or those with "differences of sexual development" (DSD) to keep testosterone levels below a prescribed amount.

The rules were to have been instituted in November 2018 but have been put on ice pending next week's hearings.

Supported by the South African Athletics Federation, the two-time Olympic champion in the 800m (2012, 2016) and three-time world champion (2009, 2011, 2017) has denounced the proposals.

"I just want to run naturally, the way I was born. It is not fair that I am told I must change. It is not fair that people question who I am," she has said previously.

"She looks forward to responding to the IAAF at the upcoming CAS hearing," Semenya's legal team said, adding that "her genetic gift should be celebrated, not discriminated against".

As well as Semenya, the silver and bronze medallists of the 800m at the Rio Olympics, Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi and Kenya's Margaret Wambui, have also faced questions about their testosterone levels.

"The IAAF is not classifying any DSD athlete as male," the IAAF said in a statement. "To preserve fair competition in the female category, it is necessary to require DSD athletes to reduce their testosterone down to female levels."&nbsp;

A CAS spokesman confirmed to AFP on Thursday that the hearing is scheduled for next week in Lausanne from Monday to Friday with Semenya in attendance.&nbsp;

South African 800m Olympic champion Caster Semenya has said she was "unquestionably a woman", after the IAAF denied reports that it would argue that she should be classified as a biological male.

South African 800m Olympic champion Caster Semenya has said she was "unquestionably a woman", after the IAAF denied reports that it would argue that she should be classified as a biological male. Semenya, 28, issued the statement on Thursday ahead of a landmark hearing at the Court of Arbitration (CAS) next week that will challenge a proposed rule by the International Athletics Federation (IAAF) aiming to restrict testosterone levels in female runners. "Ms Semenya is unquestionably a woman. She is a heroine and an inspiration to many around the world," her lawyers said in a statement. "She asks that she be respected and treated as any other athlete." The rules would force so-called "hyperandrogenic" athletes or those with "differences of sexual development" (DSD) to keep testosterone levels below a prescribed amount. The rules were to have been instituted in November 2018 but have been put on ice pending next week's hearings. Supported by the South African Athletics Federation, the two-time Olympic champion in the 800m (2012, 2016) and three-time world champion (2009, 2011, 2017) has denounced the proposals. "I just want to run naturally, the way I was born. It is not fair that I am told I must change. It is not fair that people question who I am," she has said previously. "She looks forward to responding to the IAAF at the upcoming CAS hearing," Semenya's legal team said, adding that "her genetic gift should be celebrated, not discriminated against". As well as Semenya, the silver and bronze medallists of the 800m at the Rio Olympics, Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi and Kenya's Margaret Wambui, have also faced questions about their testosterone levels. "The IAAF is not classifying any DSD athlete as male," the IAAF said in a statement. "To preserve fair competition in the female category, it is necessary to require DSD athletes to reduce their testosterone down to female levels." A CAS spokesman confirmed to AFP on Thursday that the hearing is scheduled for next week in Lausanne from Monday to Friday with Semenya in attendance.

Caster Semenya says she is 'unquestionably a woman'

Pakistan has informed the World Bank about India's completing of the Kishanganga hydropower project during the bank's "pause" period and has urged it to "recognise its responsibility" under the Indus Waters Treaty, a media report said today.

Pakistan has approached the World Bank, the mediator between the two countries of the water distribution treaty, in the past and raised issues over Kishanganga and Ratle projects in Jammu and Kashmir.

It has been flagging concern over designs of India's five hydroelectricity projects - Pakal Dul (1000 MW), Ratle (850 MW), Kishanganga (330 MW), Miyar (120 MW) and Lower Kalnai (48 MW) - being built/planned in the Indus river basin, contending these violate the treaty.

The power division of the energy ministry sent a fresh communique early this week to the bank's vice president urging the international organisation to ensure that India abided by the provisions of the 1960 treaty while building the projects, a government official told Dawn newspaper.

The official said the letter had reached the bank's head office in Washington and had been delivered to its vice president concerned as confirmed by Pakistan's director to the bank, the report said.

The official said there was no doubt that India had completed the Kishanganga project during the period the World Bank "paused" the process for constitution of a Court of Arbitration (COA) as requested by Pakistan in early 2016.

Pakistan's request was countered by India by calling for a neutral expert.

Pakistan had called for resolution of disputes over Kishanganga project on the Neelum river and Ratle hydropower project on the Chenab.

Asked about the government's next move, the official said the authorities could not just sit back and had to take the matter to its logical conclusion.

Pakistan had received reports in August last year that New Delhi had completed the Kishanganga project as per the design that had been objected by Islamabad, the report said.

The letter was sent to the World Bank after a Pakistani delegation of the Indus Waters Commission was not allowed to visit various projects in India, including Kishanganga and Ratle schemes, it said.

Pakistan has raised objections over the design of the hydel project in Jammu and Kashmir, saying it is not in line with the criteria laid down under the Indus Water Treaty between the two countries.

India has, however, asserted the project design is "well within parameters" of the treaty and urged the bank to appoint a neutral expert.

In December 2016, the bank had announced that it had "paused" the process for either appointing a COA or a neutral expert and started mediation between the two countries on how to advance and develop consensus in the light of the treaty on the mechanism for resolution of faulty designs of the two projects.

Since then, the bank has arranged two rounds of talks between the two sides but the Indians kept on building the project, the report alleged.

The last round of bank-facilitated and secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan were held in Washington in September that ended in disappointment for Pakistan, it said.

In view of the inability of the parties to agree on whether a COA or a neutral expert is the way forward, the World Bank is reported to have called another round of discussions to minimise the differences but failed to bring New Delhi to the negotiating table.

Under the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty, the waters of the eastern rivers&nbspthe Sutlej, Beas and Ravi had been allocated to India and that of the western rivers&nbspthe Indus, Jhelum and Chenab&nbspto Pakistan except for certain non-consumptive uses.&nbsp

Pakistan has informed the World Bank about India's completing of the Kishanganga hydropower project during the bank's 'pause' period and has urged it to 'recognise its responsibility' under the Indus Waters Treaty

Pakistan has informed the World Bank about India's completing of the Kishanganga hydropower project during the bank's "pause" period and has urged it to "recognise its responsibility" under the Indus Waters Treaty, a media report said today. Pakistan has approached the World Bank, the mediator between the two countries of the water distribution treaty, in the past and raised issues over Kishanganga and Ratle projects in Jammu and Kashmir. It has been flagging concern over designs of India's five hydroelectricity projects - Pakal Dul (1000 MW), Ratle (850 MW), Kishanganga (330 MW), Miyar (120 MW) and Lower Kalnai (48 MW) - being built/planned in the Indus river basin, contending these violate the treaty. The power division of the energy ministry sent a fresh communique early this week to the bank's vice president urging the international organisation to ensure that India abided by the provisions of the 1960 treaty while building the projects, a government official told Dawn newspaper. The official said the letter had reached the bank's head office in Washington and had been delivered to its vice president concerned as confirmed by Pakistan's director to the bank, the report said. The official said there was no doubt that India had completed the Kishanganga project during the period the World Bank "paused" the process for constitution of a Court of Arbitration (COA) as requested by Pakistan in early 2016. Pakistan's request was countered by India by calling for a neutral expert. Pakistan had called for resolution of disputes over Kishanganga project on the Neelum river and Ratle hydropower project on the Chenab. Asked about the government's next move, the official said the authorities could not just sit back and had to take the matter to its logical conclusion. Pakistan had received reports in August last year that New Delhi had completed the Kishanganga project as per the design that had been objected by Islamabad, the report said. The letter was sent to the World Bank after a Pakistani delegation of the Indus Waters Commission was not allowed to visit various projects in India, including Kishanganga and Ratle schemes, it said. Pakistan has raised objections over the design of the hydel project in Jammu and Kashmir, saying it is not in line with the criteria laid down under the Indus Water Treaty between the two countries. India has, however, asserted the project design is "well within parameters" of the treaty and urged the bank to appoint a neutral expert. In December 2016, the bank had announced that it had "paused" the process for either appointing a COA or a neutral expert and started mediation between the two countries on how to advance and develop consensus in the light of the treaty on the mechanism for resolution of faulty designs of the two projects. Since then, the bank has arranged two rounds of talks between the two sides but the Indians kept on building the project, the report alleged. The last round of bank-facilitated and secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan were held in Washington in September that ended in disappointment for Pakistan, it said. In view of the inability of the parties to agree on whether a COA or a neutral expert is the way forward, the World Bank is reported to have called another round of discussions to minimise the differences but failed to bring New Delhi to the negotiating table. Under the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty, the waters of the eastern rivers&nbspthe Sutlej, Beas and Ravi had been allocated to India and that of the western rivers&nbspthe Indus, Jhelum and Chenab&nbspto Pakistan except for certain non-consumptive uses.

Pakistan approaches World Bank over Kishanganga project: Report

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter said successor Gianni Infantino disrespected him by not returning his phone calls.&nbsp;

&quot;After his election we had a very good contact and he stopped at my house and we had a chat,&quot; Blatter said. &quot;I told him I have a list of questions that should be solved in FIFA which has not been solved before.&quot;

&quot;[Infantino] said, &#39;I will work on that&#39;, and he never came back. I have asked him, I have sent him a letter and I have his personal number and I was told that it&#39;s still correct.

&quot;Never, never an answer, never,&quot; said Blatter. &quot;I have never seen in any company that the new president ... was not paying respect to the old president,&quot; he told BBC&#39;s World Football programme.&nbsp;

Blatter, who was facing a six-year ban for ethics violation, lost his appeal to Court of Arbitration (CAS) on Monday.

He had sanctioned payments to former FIFA vice-president Michel Plantini over $2 million which amounted to &quot;undue gifts&quot; violating FIFA&#39;s ethics norms.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Blatter said he had and wanted to discuss with his successor a 'list of questions that should be solved in FIFA'

Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter said successor Gianni Infantino disrespected him by not returning his phone calls. "After his election we had a very good contact and he stopped at my house and we had a chat," Blatter said. "I told him I have a list of questions that should be solved in FIFA which has not been solved before." "[Infantino] said, 'I will work on that', and he never came back. I have asked him, I have sent him a letter and I have his personal number and I was told that it's still correct. "Never, never an answer, never," said Blatter. "I have never seen in any company that the new president ... was not paying respect to the old president," he told BBC's World Football programme. Blatter, who was facing a six-year ban for ethics violation, lost his appeal to Court of Arbitration (CAS) on Monday. He had sanctioned payments to former FIFA vice-president Michel Plantini over $2 million which amounted to "undue gifts" violating FIFA's ethics norms. (WION with inputs Reuters)

Disrespectful Infantino won't answer my calls, complains ex FIFA chief Blatter