Vitaly Mutko will step down as head of the 2018 FIFA World Cup organising committee, he announced on Wednesday.

After much hesitation, the IOC has taken a clear stance against the overwhelming evidence of systemic doping in Russia. Russia has greater projects in the making than the Winter Olympics, and the ball is rolling towards an uncomfortable FIFA.

Qatar and Russia. Corruption and doping. That is what everybody is talking about at Play the Game 2017 in Eindhoven. The latest developments in both doping and corruption investigations link the two countries closer and closer together. Are we seeing the contours of a collusion between Qatar and Russia in sports?

Play the Game 2017 heard a less common narrative on Qatar’s successful 2022 World Cup bid from Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General of Committee for Delivery and Legacy.

For years, reporters have been fond of saying “FIFA mafia”, “Mobsters of Football”. It has made for good copy, sold lots of media space – but what words do we use now that there really is a trial that focuses on the widespread criminal activity inside FIFA?

FIFA has decided to publish the so-called ‘Garcia report’ investigating the circumstances surrounding the bidding for the FIFA world Cups 2018 and 2022.

Just 12 months ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, FIFA opens an investigation of the entire Russian squad from the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The investigation marks the latest chapter in the ongoing history of Russian doping allegations.

With the publication of a damning report on working conditions at Russian World Cup Stadium construction sites, Human Rights Watch call for more transparency from FIFA about their efforts in securing human rights. This challenges what FIFA reported earlier this week, when issuing an ‘activity report’ on the organisation’s progress in the field.