Why can Russia still play in Euro 2020 despite World Cup 2022 ban?

Russia have been handed a WADA ban ruling them out of the Tokyo Olympics and 2022 World Cup - but they will still be able to play in Euro 2020 next summer

Russia has been banned from major international sporting events for four years after being found guilty of manipulating laboratory doping data.

The World Anti-Doping Agency confirmed the punishment in Lausanne after considering recommendations from its independent compliance review committee (CRC).

The judgement means Russia will be banned from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and the 2022 Football World Cup in Qatar.

Individual Russian athletes untainted by the scandal will able to compete independently under a neutral flag.

And despite being ruled out of the next World Cup, Russia will be clear to compete at Euro 2020 next summer, where Saint Petersburg will host three group games and a quarter-final.

Why can they play at Euro 2020?

Russia will be free to take their place at Euro 2020 because the tournament is organised by UEFA.

Despite being one of the world's biggest sporting events, European football's governing body does not fall under the definition of a Major Events Organisation under the international compliance code.

As a result, it does not fall under the "major international sporting events" definition when punishments for doping violations are being enforced.

Will they still host games?

Yes, for the same reasons as above.

They have been punished with a ban from hosting major sporting events, but UEFA does not fall under the criteria and therefore is exempt from the punishment.

Could they still play in the World Cup?

This is where it gets slightly complicated. The ban on the Russian flag and anthem means that individual athletes can compete as 'neutrals' in events such as the Olympics.

But in a team sport, it is hard to see any way around the punishment to get the Russia football team to Qatar should they qualify.

Any mechanism put in place would require WADA's control and approval and not feature the Russian flag or anthem.

A successful appeal could also lead to them being allowed into the World Cup.

What happens next?

WADA said the decision was unanimous, but Russia's Anti Doping Agency (RUSADA) has 21 days to appeal against the ban.

If it does so, the appeal will be referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

There's also the prospect of alternative arrangements being put into place by FIFA alongside WADA controls to allow Russian athletes to have some involvement without their flag or anthem.

Players would need to prove they are not implicated in the doping scandal, and it remains to be seen if a solution could be found to allow them to compete.