Russia faces being banned from next year's Olympics in Rio after an investigation revealed state-sponsored doping on a massive scale.

A World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) independent commission revealed that more than 1,400 samples were deliberately destroyed on the orders of the director of Russia’s drug-testing laboratory.

It is an uncomfortable time for the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and in particular its president Sebastian Coe.

Coe, a four-time Olympic medalist with Britain, was on Channel 4 News last night, and received a tough grilling from broadcaster Jon Snow.

Coe tried to suggest the allegations had come as a complete shock to the organisation, and that he would now work to address the problems in the sport.

“Lord Coe, that simply isn’t going to wash,” Snow responded. “Either you were asleep on the job, or corrupt.”

“Did you personally fall down on the job?”

Coe looked increasingly uncomfortable as Snow pushed him on how he could have been involved with the sport at such a high level for years without knowledge of the problems. He asked whether it was time for the former athlete to consider resignation.

“Wouldn’t you say, Seb it’s time to hang up your gloves?”

The interview may have been uncomfortable for Coe, but was well received by viewers keen to see the hard questions asked.

ICYMI, Jon Snow v Seb Coe is brilliant. Like a Rottweiler who won't let go. https://t.co/Vc7MIeH8A6

— Ben Bloom (@benbloomsport) November 10, 2015

Jon Snow got it absolutely right, Seb Coe is either corrupt or asleep on the job, hence incompetent.

— Damn Anus Chitin (@torytossa) November 10, 2015