Russia investigate party claims

Hiddink: No-nonsense

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The Russian FA (RFU) is to investigate reports that certain players went partying ahead of a World Cup play-off.

Guus Hiddink's side faced Slovenia in a two-legged encounter in November to determine who would make it to South Africa.

Russia took the first leg in Moscow 2-1 but came unstuck on the away goals rule when they slipped to a 1-0 defeat in Maribor.

Russia had been strong favourites to progress and their absence at next summer's tournament has come as a major surprise to many.

There will inevitably be repercussions to the failure, with Hiddink keen to fend against similar disappointments in the future.

However, the main focus at present will involve studying accusations that players were up all night drinking and smoking prior to the first meeting with Slovenia on 14th November.

The RFU have asked for a full explanation from state-controlled Channel One television, after they ran a programme about the incident, as well as from the Marriott Grand hotel, the national team's headquarters, after employees claimed to have seen players cavorting the night before the crunch clash.

Reliability

"On Monday, the RFU sent an official letter to the heads of Channel One and the Marriott Grand, asking them to provide explanations about the reliability of the reported information," the FA said on its official website.

The RFU are prepared to wait for an official response from the relevant parties before taking any further action, but are set to conduct their own investigation after talking with the coaching staff.

Hiddink is happy for such a process to go ahead, as the Dutchman admits that he would be keen to cast those responsible adrift should it emerge that the alleged events took place.

"I've heard something (about the allegations)," he was quoted as saying in Sport-Express.

"Channel One is respected in Russia, it wouldn't repeat unfounded allegations and rumours. You must have proof. I repeat you must have direct proof.

"Statements saying the players were sitting in a restaurant until five in the morning on the day of the game are quite serious. If I had proof of that, every player involved in it would have been immediately dropped from the national team.

"We've had some small incidents during my time as Russia coach and I warned the players about the consequences. Since then everything has been fine and I have no proof to doubt it."