Wales to appeal Russia's Euro place
Wales are set to appeal against Russia's participation in Euro 2004 after it was revealed a Russian player failed a drugs test during the qualifying play-offs.
Wales lost 1-0 on aggregate in a hotly-contested two-legged play-off which saw the Russians try to get Ryan Giggs banned from the second leg after an incident in Moscow involving Vadim Evseev.
But now it has emerged that Russia's Yegor Titov failed a drugs test after the first leg in Moscow.
Titov played in the second leg in the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff which the Welsh lost 1-0 to Evseev's headed goal.
But now a source close to the Football Association of Wales has revealed to the Press Association they will contact UEFA on Monday to seek clarification and possibly call for UEFA to throw the Russians out of the finals.
Wales thought their chances of playing this summer had disappeared after play-off defeat but are now set to begin a campaign to take Russia's place in a group which also includes hosts Portugal, Greece and Spain.
Titov was found to have the stimulant bromantan, believed to be a designer drug rather than a prescription medicine, in a sample taken after the play-off first leg in Moscow on November 15.
After playing as a substitute that night in a 0-0 draw Titov started the second leg in Cardiff.
Titov has until Monday to contest the one-year ban imposed by UEFA, meaning he could miss the Euro 2004 finals anyway regardless of his country's fate.
UEFA, who have also asked world governing body FIFA to extend the ban worldwide, have fined the player £4,420, while his club Spartak Moscow have received a £8,840 fine.
Following the first leg in Moscow the Russians called for Giggs to be banned for the second match in Cardiff following an elbowing incident involving Evseev.
Giggs was allowed to play in the second leg but subsequently banned for two matches by UEFA, meaning he will miss Wales' opening two games of their 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign.
Mark Evans, international secretary of the FAW, said: 'Our medical people have checked on the drug and discovered that it was banned from the 1996 Olympics (onwards).
'We will have to ask UEFA what the position is and obviously, whether there is grounds for an appeal. We have a duty to our own supporters to ask the questions.'
The FAW also revealed three of their players passed tests during the play-off legs - Nathan Blake, Darren Barnard and John Hartson (twice).
