Russian 2018 bid leader claims there is corruption in England

By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

September 7 – Russia’s Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko has today blamed the British media for the racism row that is threatening to overshadow his country’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup and claimed that there was corruption in England, an allegation that draw could draw the attention of FIFA watchdogs.

Russia, who are considered to be England’s biggest threat to host the tournament, have become embroiled in the row after a banner was unveiled during one of Lokomotiv Moscow’s games aimed at Nigerian striker Peter Odemwingie, which showed a banana and said: “Thanks West Brom” – a reference to the player leaving the club to sign for West Browmich Albion in England.

Alexei Sorokin, the chief executive of Russia’s bid, has denied that there was anything racist in the banner and that it was just a sign of the fans frustrations with Odemwingie’s performances.

Mutko, who is also the chairman of Russia’s Bid Committee, claims the England media are driving the coverage of the controversy in an attempt give England’s bid an advantage over their rivals.

“We respect English football,” he told Goal.com today during an interview in Moscow.

“We respect the English more than they respect us.

“I can’t find a reason for such dislike [in the British press] for Russia’s bid.

“Of course, no-one should assess another country.

“As far as comparing bids I would like to emphasise that we greatly respect English football and the potential of this country.

“It’s just that in the media sometimes the Russia bid is mentioned.

“There is excessive attention on the Russia bid.

“Sometimes in the non-Russian media we read that there is also corruption in England.”

When pressed by Goal.com to expand on his allegations of corruption in England, Mutko backtracked on his claims.

“What I meant was that sometimes the English media say there is corruption in Russia but I meant that if you dig deeply you find corruption in any country,” he told them.

But Mutko’s allegations could still land Russia’s bid in hot water with FIFA if England decide to complain to the world governing body’s Ethics Committee.

Bidding countries are not supposed to publicly criticise rival candidates.

Earlier this year England’s Bid chairman Lord Triesman was forced to resign after he claimed during a newspaper sting that he suspected Russia and Spain – another of England’s rivals for 2018 – of colluding to bribe referees during the World Cup in South Africa.

He later admitted to FIFA that he had no evidence to back-up his claim.

To read the full article on Mutko’s interview click here.

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