By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 14 – The leader of Russia’s 2018 World Cup bid insists his country deserves to stage the tournament over the rest of his European rivals.
First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov (pictured), whose country has suddenly leaped ahead in the betting following FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s public endorsement of the Russian bid, says football in England is already at saturation level.
“Football is so well established in England but one of the main aims of the World Cup should be to develop the sport,” he said.
“Russia can do this more than England - and more than Spain and Portugal - in this respect.
“In terms of development, Russia should become candidate number one.
“We have already done it for Sochi for the 2014 Winter Olympics.
“Youth enthusiasm is growing like never before.”
Shuvalov made his comments after handing over the Russian bid book to Blatter along with a personal letter signed by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
FIFA have made it clear that Government guarantees are vital and Russia has been pouring money into their campaign, backed by all manner of oligarchs at home and abroad.
Spain and Portugal, meanwhile, appear to have slipped below the radar, along with the other joint bid of Holland and Belgium.
The latter is considered such an outsider that Shuvalov, accidentally or not, failed to even mention them during when playing up his own country’s chances which, he said, was pressing ahead on all fronts.
“I am speaking about both infrastructure and legacy,” said Shuvalov.
“We will build six first-class stadiums anyway and if win the vote we will need to build 10 more.
“We have the plans to deliver that.”
Shuvalov insisted no connection should be made between Russia’s bid and Ukraine’s faltering plans to jointly host Euro 2012.
“Our economy is much stronger than theirs,” he said.
“It is seventh in the world.
“You are not comparing like with like.”
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