The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has imposed a four-year ban on Russia from all major sporting events.

It means the Russian flag and anthem will not be allowed at events such as the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics, and football’s 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

But athletes who can prove they are untainted by the doping scandal will be able to compete under a neutral flag.

This ban comes after Russia’s Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) was declared non-compliant for manipulating laboratory data handed over to investigators back in January. It is the most severe punishment yet connected to the cheating scheme, which peaked at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

Wada says RUSADA has 21 days to appeal against the ban. If it does so, the appeal will be referred to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

The final 10 man shortlist for the Africa player of the year award is out, and Odion Ighalo is the only Nigerian on it.

The shortlist was decided by votes from a caf technical and development committee and a panel of media experts

The 10-man list has Senegal’s Sadio Mane, who placed fourth at the Ballon d’Or on Monday, and fifth placed Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah from Egypt.

Algeria has three players: Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez, AC Milan’s Ismail Bennacer and Ahli Jeddah’s Youcef Belaili.

Enugu Rangers’ fans have called on the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation to withdraw coach Salisu Yusuf from the Nigeria Professional League side.

Yusuf, who just returned to coaching after completing his one-year bribery ban, was seconded to rangers whose technical crew was sacked after three consecutive losses.

The fans are upset because Yusuf lost 3-1 at home to pyramids of in the ongoing confederation of African football group stage match.

Rangers will travel to Egypt next week to play Al Masry.