Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko has resigned from his role as chief organiser for Russia 2018.The deputy prime minister has played a key role in preparation to host the World Cup next summer but the Russia 2018 organising committee have confirmed "with deep regret" that he has walked away.
Mutko was handed a lifetime ban from the Olympics for his part in a "state-directed" doping programme, though he is contesting that penalty.