Russian 2018 chief executive: Now is our time

By Andrew Warshaw in Johannesburg

December 2 – As public relations campaigns go, Russia’s 2018 World Cup delegation at the Soccerex conference in Johannesburg could not have done much more than name their imposing stand Red Square Lounge.

But as anyone who has followed World Cup bids knows, promoting your country is one thing.

Persuading FIFA’s 24 Executive Committee members that they should vote for you is quite another.

But Alexey Sorokin, chief executive of the Russian bid, is quietly confident that by the time the vote is taken exactly a year from now enough of the FIFA members will be persuaded to take the World Cup to yet another new destination.

Sorokin makes no apologies for the fact that his country has the financial muscle at its disposal.

“We envisage a public budget of $20 million (£12 million) and we anticipate a similar amount coming from private money,” said Sorokin.

“No less.”

That, almost certainly, means a significant input from oligarchs like Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

“We know that Abramovich personally supports the idea of the World Cup being in Russia though he has not yet made any public announcements.”

Legacy is a key part of the Russian lobbying campaign.

“For people who are genuinely interested in football, this is an investment in the future,” said Sorokin.

“Making the World Cup happen in Russia would change the future not only of football but sport generally in our country.”

Russia is proposing 13 cities from Kaliningrad in the east close to the Polish border to Samara in the far west a few hundred miles from Kazakhstan.

Sorokin (pictured) insists that even in remote parts of the country, the commitment will be 100 per cent.

“The population of the cities we have picked have to be genuinely interested in football.”

Fighting against three other European bidders is no easy task but Sorokin is bullish without being arrogant.

“We’ll try to prove that a World Cup in Russia will make a difference.

“Russia is very interestingly situated between Europe and Asia.

“Technically we are a European bid but we are hoping to bring football development to two continents.

“Russia influences football in a vast region of our planet, maybe 20-plus countries.”

He knows full well that any serious setbacks can damage the public relations battle but he is adamant that the recent attack on the St. Peterburg-Moscow train that left 25 people dead and scores more injured, would not damage Russia’s bid.

“I do not think this incident will have any impact on our bid.

“Every country has suffered at one time or another from the point of view of terrorist attacks and there are very few exceptions among our [World Cup] competitors here.”

Sorokin also plays down Russia’s shock play-off elimination from next summer’s tournament in South Africa following their defeat against Slovenia.

“I don’t think it will make a difference.

“If we build 16 or 18 stadiums and have enough training bases for future generations we can only get stronger as well as being a country FIFA can rely on for hosting any calibre of future competition.”

The more questions you throw to Sorokin, the more he has the answers.

Is he concerned by the problems that have dogged the 2012 European Championship being staged jointly by Poland and Ukraine?

Would FIFA seriously be prepared to take another risk in Eastern Europe?

“We do not think there is actually a risk in dealing with the leadership of our country.

“Politically and economically we have been separated from Ukraine for a long time.

“Our Government has everything it takes to be trusted.

“Our leaders have very good standing in the world community.

“Russia is very trendy, transparent and integrated now.

“It’s our time.

“The IOC (International Olympic Committee) have entrusted us with the 2014 Winter Olympics [in Sochi].

“Why not FIFA too?”

Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1735579665labto1735579665ofdlr1735579665owedi1735579665sni@w1735579665ahsra1735579665w.wer1735579665dna1735579665.