On March 3, 2017 Povetkin was handed a fine of $250,000 and banned indefinitely by the World Boxing Council for failing drug tests. Their ban meant they would no longer sanction his fights. It was also noted on the documents presented by the WBC that Povetkin would be allowed to apply in March 2018 to be included in the rankings. The lifetime ban was lifted by the WBC on 8 December 2017. it was announced that Povetkin would be inserted back into the WBC rankings from January 2018.