AP Interview: Infantino backs doping-tainted Russia, Mutko (The Associated Press)

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 is 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.