ZURICH -- FIFA President Gianni Infantino hit out on Friday at attempts to undermine the World Cup in Russia, saying he will not judge the country on the investigation which documented a state-sponsored doping program that included soccer.Infantino told The Associated Press it was still very good working with Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, who has been accused of personally intervening to cover up a doping case of at least one foreign footballer in the Russian Premier League.The details emerged in a report authored by Canadian lawyer Richard McLaren, who was attending an ethics conference at FIFA HQ as Infantino conducted a 30-minute interview with the AP.McLarens report cast doubt on Russias suitability to host sporting events, with the International Olympic Committee temporarily withdrawing its backing for competitions in the country.Its not my job to judge this report, Infantino told the AP. As president of football my concern has to be on football matters, has to be on doping in football.If there are elements on doping and football, then FIFAs bodies will deal with that.There appears no risk of Russia losing the 2018 World Cup, with only nine months until the doping-tainted nation hosts the Confederations Cup, which serves as the warmup event.We should see this as a chance rather than trying to be negative, Infantino said. We should see the World Cup in Russia as a chance for FIFA but also for Russia to show itself in a positive light as an organizer and a welcoming country.Lets work in a positive sense in this direction rather than trying to undermine this event.McLaren also found that 11 positive doping cases of Russian footballers were made to disappear.Mutko, as well as being sports minister, leads the countrys soccer federation, and sits on FIFAs ruling council. He was banned by the IOC from attending the Rio de Janeiro Olympics last month based on McLarens findings, but he retains Infantinos backing.We have committees in place. Whatever evidence Prof. McLaren has, he will send it to the ethics committee of FIFA, and they will instruct or not a case, Infantino said. As long as this doesnt happen I will certainly not participate in any speculation or any problems.I am working with the people who are there, who are legitimately elected ... he has been working in terms of the organization of the world, as far as I can judge, in an excellent way so far. So, for me and for us, it is certainly very good to continue working with him.Here are other issues Infantino addressed seven months after being elected FIFA president:---OLYMPIC FOOTBALLInfantino was pleased with the enthusiasm for the womens event in Rio de Janeiro but questioned the future viability and worth of the mens competition.This is something everybody speaks about in the football circles and also in the Olympic circles but nobody dares raise the topic, Infantino said. But at the end nobody is really happy with that event because the international match calendar is already congested. There are no free dates.Clubs are not obliged to release players for the Olympic mens competition, where countries are only allowed three players over the age of 23.Its not really a youth competition but its not really a top competition, said Infantino, who didnt attend the finals in Brazil. The players are not happy, the clubs are not happy, the federations are not happy.So if nobody is happy there must be something wrong. We really need to look at that ... I dont have the solution.BREAKAWAY LEAGUESThe threat of Europes elite clubs breaking away to form a wealthy Super League re-emerged over the last year, leading to England, Spain, Germany, and Italy each securing an extra guaranteed place in the Champions League.Some UEFA members are unhappy that the governing body caved into the powerful clubs.Infantino, who was UEFA general secretary before succeeding Sepp Blatter at FIFA, said nobody has ever put a gun to my head when negotiating with Europes big leagues.Infantino warned that everybody knows the consequences of splitting to form their own competition. Players participating in such a league, outside of a FIFA structure, could face being banned from featuring for their countries in international competitions.TROUBLED STARTInfantino has endured a rocky start to his first seven months in power, going through a FIFA ethics investigation before being cleared of any misconduct relating to use of private flights and improperly accepting gifts.Infantino said he was still working to rebuild trust in FIFA and overhaul the Zurich-based organization.When you have to embrace such significant reforms, its obviously normal you get some blowback and turbulence, Infantino said. San Diego Padres Jerseys .com) - The Pittsburgh Penguins placed forward James Neal on injured reserve Tuesday. Austin Hedges Jersey . MORITZ, Switzerland -- Fog prevented downhill racers from getting their Olympic dress rehearsal. http://www.padressale.com/padres-ian-kinsler-jersey/ . 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The Western Bulldogs have shown their fighting spirit to return to the AFL winners list, defeating North Melbourne by 14 points at Etihad Stadium.In an ill-tempered contest between two finals-bound teams, the Kangaroos targeted Marcus Bontempelli but the Dogs and their young star prevailed, winning 9.7 (61) to 7.5 (47).The 20-year-old might have expected some attention from North after calling out Lindsay Thomas for a crude tackle on Lachie Hunter in their earlier meeting this year.He was roughed up before the first bounce and found himself in the middle of melees at quarter-time and halftime.Bontempelli wore the jumper punches and the bumps well, responding with a best-afield performance (15 kicks, nine tackles and a goal) in a strong team performance to snap a two-game losing streak.The win both keeps alive the Bulldogs top-four ambitions and delivers a hammer blow to North Melbournes own hopes.The Kangaroos are likely to be two wins outside the top four by rounds end and must play the top three clubs - Hawthorn, Sydney and GWS Giants - in their final three fixtures.Much could depend on an injury to key tall Ben Brown, who left the match early in the second quarter after hurting his already-strapped left knee.North went almost an hour without a goal after Brown departed.Already missing forward Jarrad Waite, the Kangaroos looked toothless when the mop-haired Tasmanian went down.In contrast, the slow-starting Bulldogs warrmed into the contest and had plenty of routes to goal, with nine different goalkickers on a low-scoring night.ddddddddddddEaston Wood was super in defence for the Bulldogs, with Jason Johannisen full of run.North mounted a challenge in the third term only for Jed Anderson - who was earlier reported for a hit on Lin Jong - to miss a simple set shot that would have brought them within two points.Less than a minute later, Lachie Hunter (21 possessions) kicked a fine running goal to keep the Dogs on top.In his 100th AFL match, Jamie Macmillan was North Melbournes best.The sour note for Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge was yet another injury, a concussion to Clay Smith that ended his night after 10 minutes.Beveridge said it went without saying he was proud of his team.They were enormous tonight, our boys, he said.Showed a lot of heart. It was a great defensive effort to keep North Melbourne to that score.Twenty-two really solid contributors.North Melbourne lost Scott Thompson in the final term to a groin injury.Roos coach Brad Scott said they had their chances but made too many errors.When you dominate parts of the game - disposals - but dont score and get scored against, youre doing something wrong, he said.We over-possessed the ball under pressure ... on balance they deserved their victory tonight. ' ' '
