Rio de Janeiro, Dhu-AlQa'dah 3, 1437, Aug 6, 2016, SPA -- The International Paralympics Committee (IPC) will decide Sunday on whether to ban Russia outright from the Games next month, dpa reported. The IPC said it would announce a decision at midday Rio time (1500 GMT) Sunday. It described as "pure speculation" that it, unlike the International Olympic Committee (IOC), would ban Russia following a report into systemic doping. Britain's Observer newspaper reported Saturday that a decision had been made to ban Russia from the September 7-18 Paralympics. It follows a report by Professor Richard McLaren for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) outlining state-backed doping in Russia affecting several Olympic sports and Paralympic disciplines. "Contrary to media reports, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has not yet announced its decision regarding the membership status of the Russian Paralympic Committee," a statement said. The IOC on July 24 decided against a ban of all Russian athletes from the Rio Olympics and said it would leave the final decisions with the international sports federations. The IOC wanted to ban Russian athletes with previous doping offences from participating in the Games, but the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ruled against. The IPC confirmed it had been speaking with Professor McLaren and his investigations team to seek further information following the publication of his report. On July 22, it opened suspension proceedings against the Russian Paralympic Committee following the report and additional information it had received from McLaren. -- SPA 21:55 LOCAL TIME 18:55 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w