By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 10 – Roman Abramovich has flown to South Africa to make his first formal appearance in Russia’s campaign to host the 2018 World Cup, lobbying against England even though he is the owner of Premier League champions Chelsea.
But the billionaire, who met David Beckham who was representing England’s bid, was not the only member of Russia’s team lobbying on their behalf at the FIFA Bidder Expo closely identified with the Premier League.
He was accompanied by Arsenal star Andrei Arshavin, Russia’s best known player, along with the country’s First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov.
Abramovich is is supporting Russian football by a number of initiatives, specifically in the area of football development.
He said: ”Russia is a new and vibrant country with a lot of experience in staging grand sporting events.
“We are an emerging football power, yet we have never hosted the FIFA World Cup.
“The World Cup in Russia would be leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come, on the pitch and beyond.”
But, when asked later personally by insideworldfootball at a plush Johannesburg hotel how the Russian bid was doing, Abramovich replied: “I don’t know.”
When it was put to him that he was thought to be funding the bid, he indicated he was helping where he could.
The high-powered delegation were supported by Vitaly Mutko, the Russian Sports Minister who is also a member of FIFA’s ruling Executive Board, and Sergei Fursenko, the President of the Russian Football Union.
Arshavin said: ”We are passionate about football. 1.9 million people play the game in Russia.
“The ultimate dream is to play a World Cup in your country and to win it.
“For me that may not be possible but for the next generations of young Russian players it would be a great goal towards which to work.”
Russia are considered to be England’s closest rivals to host the tournament and Shuvalov is confident that if they are chosen the event would have just as big an impact on their country as it is set to have on South Africa.
He said: ”It is most impressive to see how the FIFA World Cup is galvanising South Africa as a whole and we would be thrilled to be given the honour to host the world likewise in 2018 or 2022.
“Russia is vast and most diverse.
“It would be a unique experience for all participating teams and football fans to experience our country and its warm hospitality.”
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