February 17 – Russia’s Sports Minister Vitaliy Mutko has again been critical of the Russian Football Union (RFU) for its proposal of limiting foreign players in club squads to ’10+15′, saying “what kind of celebration will we have (at the World Cup in 2018) if our own team is completely useless”.
The new ruling was passed by the RFU’s executive committee last December but Mutko slammed the decision saying that it was not in Russia’s interests. Currently the Russian Premier League has a ‘7+4’ rule where a maximum of seven foreign players can be on the pitch at any one time. The Sports Ministry wants this changed to ‘6+5’, increasing the opportunity for Russian qualified players to get game time.
“The government is preparing the World Cup, which needs to be held in the highest possible level, like the Olympic Games in Sochi. But what kind of celebration will we have, if our own team is absolutely useless. Will our people be able to be proud of their country, like they were during Sochi, if the national team of Russia shows such a level of game like we saw in Brazil? Will it be different this time if Russian players don’t have elementary match practice'” said Mutko.
“That’s why the suggested 10+15 scheme does not satisfy us; this will lead to 8-9 or even 10 foreign players playing on the field in the clubs. And one does not prepare for the world cup by sitting on the bench.”
Mutko extended his criticism to clubs and owners, saying they had a responsibility to develop young players. “I totally understand the presidents of the clubs, which do not have competitive Russian football players to choose from under the current preparation system. But I have a question for them: why haven’t you established a quality work at least in your own academy?” he said.
Volgograd stadium
It is not just foreign players that the Russians see as hampering their 2018 World Cup preparations. The supply of foreign materials are also causing problems because of the falling ruble increasing their cost and the costs of already tightly budgeted construction projects. Alternative domestic supplies are being sought.
Deputy governor of the Volgograd region, Vasiliy Galushkin, has said that the capacity of the ‘Pobeda-Arena’ stadium construction works will not be reduced despite the dangers of increased costs. He said: “The builders will try to meet the previously agreed cost through import substitution. The stadium has been designed to have 45,000 seats and this plan will remain.”
Excavation works for the stadium foundation are expected to start next month with the deadline for completion being November 2017.
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