Arsenal shareholder to help bankroll Russia World Cup bid

By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

May 6 – Billionaire Alisher Usmanov (pictured), the second biggest shareholder at Premier League Arsenal, is to financially help Russia’s bid to host the 2018 of 2022 World Cup, it was announced today.

Usmanov, who was born in Uzbekistan, will be using his charitable organisation, “Art and Sport”, to back the bid.

They join Russia’s other partners, BDO, the world’s fifth-large global network of independent auditors, and law firm Yust, who were announced earlier this year.

Art and Sport provides help in organising socially important events in art, culture and sport, and also implements scientific, educational and social projects throughout the entire Russian Federation.

Usmanov said: ”Hosting the FIFA World Cup would be extremely important for Russia.

“An event of such magnitude would raise the profile of the country, provide an impact for national football
development, and most importantly attract the youth to sports.”

Usmanov’s worth is estimated at $7.2 billion (£4.9 billion) thanks to his interests in mining, lumber and investments and Forbes ranks him as the 100th richest man in the world.

The 56-year-old has used that wealth to bankroll Red and White Holdings, which has invested heavily in Arsenal.

The company now owns 26.31 per cent of the former Premier League champions and speculation remains that Usmanov may launch a full bid to takeover the club.

His support for Russia will pit him against England’s bid, who are considered to be their main rivals along with joint bids from Holland and Belgium and Spain and Portugal.

Digital Sky Technologies, a company Usmanov owns 32 per cent in, also recently paid $200 million (£136 million) for a 1.96 per cent share in the social networking site Facebook.

Usmanov is also the President of the International Fencing Federation (FIE).

Alexey Sorokin, the chief executive of Russia’s bid and the general secretary of the Russian Football Union
(RFU), welcomed the support provided by Usmanov, who claims to be a Dinamo Moscow supporter.

Sorokin said: ”By joining our campaign, Art and Sport demonstrates its commitment to Russia’s goal of hosting the FIFA World Cup for the first time in history.

“Alisher Usmanov’s contribution to our work will further strengthen our outreach to all stakeholders in the world of football so as to bring across the merits of the Russian bid.”

Through Art and , Usmanov runs programmes and projects with a variety of sports organisations, such as the Russian Fencing Federation, Dynamo Sports Club, and regional sports federations.

The charity is a major provider of resources for social projects and healthcare, helping a large number of facilities such as rehabilitation centres, sports complexes, youth educational and sports establishments and other social infrastructure projects.

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