The Russian DanceSport Union face expulsion from the World DanceSport Federation ©WDSF

A deadline for the Russian DanceSport Union (RDSU) to fix a series of internal problems or face expulsion from the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) will pass today with the organisation still mired in controversy.

The threat to expel RDSU was issued at by the WDSF at its General Meeting in Rome in June. 

It followed complaints from several Russian dancers and officials that the RDSU was favouring one group over another.

Former RDSU President Irina Petrova, who had been asked to resign, was replaced by Denis Kuznetsov but the failure to stage the Moscow Grand Slam last week has angered the WDSF.

Kuznetsov, however, does have a better relationship with the WDSF than Petrova did so may be able to compromise an extension to try to sort out the organisation. 

The RDSU was formed after the Russian DanceSport Federation had its recognition by the Russian Ministry for Sports suspended in 2011 following allegations of corruption. 

WDSF President Lukas Hinder has assured Russian dancers they will still be able to compete internationally even if the RDSU is expelled.

"There has been a very serious internal conflict in Russia and this has created significant problems for dancesport in Russia and our Member Body, the Russian DanceSport Union," he said.

"Of course we have always sought to support the Russian Sports Ministry and the NOC (National Olympic Committee) in this difficult situation, but circumstances inside Russia have become intolerable for our athletes and officials.

"After some two years of these conflicts continuing, WDSF’s members at our AGM in Rome in June this year overwhelmingly agreed with the WDSF Presidium that the opposing groups needed to unify under RDSU in the interests of dancesport, the athletes and officials by 31 October 2016."

World DanceSport Federation Lukas Hinder has reassured Russian dancers they will still be eligible to compete even if their Federation is expelled ©WDSF
World DanceSport Federation Lukas Hinder has reassured Russian dancers they will still be eligible to compete even if their Federation is expelled ©WDSF

Hinder added: "If this unification is not achieved under RDSU by that date, then the WDSF Presidium is obliged by the AGM vote to expel RDSU and take over the administration of Russian athletes, adjudicators and officials for a period of time.

"Please be assured that the Presidium and I will not let down our Russian athletes, adjudicators and officials.  

"We will take care of them and do whatever is necessary that international dancesport will continue for Russia for as long as it is necessary under the WDSF administration. 

"Whatever the costs.

"Russian dancesport will still exist. 

"It has a future. 

"Great athletes in a great dancesport country. 

"All that cannot be destroyed just because a few egos do not have the guts to bring about real change."