The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) claimed yesterday that Russia seemed to have been running a “state-supported” doping programme, with secret laboratories in Moscow destroying evidence.

Wada’s 323-word report unveiled allegations of doping among Russian athletes, with the laboratories covering-up positive doping results by destroying over 1,400 samples.

It also found that the London 2012 Olympics were “sabotaged” by the inaction against Russian athletes.

Former Wada chair Dick Pound, who chaired the independent commission, said he didn’t think “there’s any other possible conclusion” to the report’s allegation that doping was state-sponsored.

“The corruption was “worse than we thought,” he added.

The cover-up has implications for the 2018 Russian World Cup, with Fifa executive committee member Vitaly Mutko, the man in charge of the tournament, knowing “what was going on,” Pound alleged.

International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) president Sebastian Coe called the report “alarming” and urged the council to consider sanctioning Russia, which could be done as early as Friday.

He said: “The information in Wada’s independent commission report is alarming.

“We need time to properly digest and understand the detailed findings included in the report. However, I have urged the council to start the process of considering sanctions against [Russian athletics]

“This step has not been taken lightly. Our athletes, partners and fans have my total assurance that where there are failures in our governance or our anti-doping programmes we will fix them.

“We will do whatever it takes to protect the clean athletes and rebuild trust in our sport. The IAAF will continue to offer the police authorities our full co-operation into their ongoing investigation.”

The IAAF statement added the sanctions to be considered “could include provisional and full suspension and the removal of future IAAF events.”

The United States Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) also released a statement, praising the Wada commission for its work and giving its backing to the calls for Russia to be suspended.

“The evidence released today demonstrates a shocking level of corruption and sends a clear message to Russia that they will not be allowed to cheat the world’s athletes and escape justice behind a wall of deception and lies.

“If Russia has created an organised scheme of state-supported doping, then they have no business being allowed to compete on the world stage.”