LETDOWN

Scotland at Euro 2020 – what Russia doping ban means for Steve Clarke’s side

RUSSIA have been handed a four-year ban from all major sporting events - but will still deny Scotland an automatic place at Euro 2020.

We told you last month how the world's largest nation faced being suspended from the competition due to alleged inconsistencies in anti-doping data.

And the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) have today confirmed that Russia will not be allowed to officially compete at major events.

It means the Russian flag and anthem will not be allowed at next year's Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

And the football team will not be allowed to play at all at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

They can still appeal WADA's decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland in a bid to reverse it.

However, Russia WILL be able to play at Euro 2020 as Uefa is not considered a major event organisation in regards to anti-doping breaches.

St Petersburg will also remain a host city during next summer's tournament.

It means that Scotland will not take Russia's automatic place in the competition.

Steve Clarke's men finished third in their qualifying group behind the Russians and Belgium.

The national side will instead try to qualify for Euro 2020 via the play-offs in March.

Scotland earned the opportunity by winning their Nations League group in the first half of last season.

Our players have been drawn against Israel in the play-off semi-final and will face them at Hampden on March 26 next year.

Should they win that game, they will then take on the winner of the tie between Norway and Serbia away from home on March 31.