Russian World Cup bid chief Sorokin blasts London's "high crime and alcohol consumption"

By Andrew Warshaw

October 19 – Russia could be the latest country to face accusations of breaking FIFA’s strict code of ethics in the latest row to undermine bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

As FIFA launched an investigation into two unnamed bidding candidates and two of its own Executive Committee members following the Sunday Times‘ explosive cash-for-votes allegations, Russia’s 2018 World Cup bid leader Alexei Sorokin has aimed a swipe at England which could be construed as contravening rules prohibiting adverse comments about rival bidders.

In an interview with the Russian daily Sport Express, Sorokin said it was “no secret” that London had “the highest crime rate compared with other European cities, and the highest level of alcohol consumption among young people”.

He went on to repeat once again that a banner with a picture of a banana aimed at West Brom’s striker Peter Odemwingie and produced by fans of his former club Lokomotiv Moscow was not racist.

Sorokin has been riled by allegations of racism and pointed to a protest by anti-Glazer Manchester United fans the very same day when they burned an American flag at Old Trafford.

“We could have a conversation about the lack of tolerance and the inciting of ethnic hatred by English fans,” he said.

“But we do not behave like someone who is always saying bad things about their neighbours.

“The banner was not a racist one.

“It was directed against a particular player who got very good money, lived very well here, but for some reason did not seem to want to play well.

“Racism is a common problem, not just in Russia.

“All soccer countries have had this, including Britain.

“Naturally, we must fight this and in the Russian Football Union we have a programme to combat all forms of racism.”

FIFA’s rules specifically forbid bidding countries denigrating their opponents but it is unclear whether Sorokin (pictured) will face action.

Firstly, they are focusing on dealing with the fall-out from last weekend’s bribery expose.

And secondly, in his interview Sorokin did not at any time mention England’s bid campaign, instead denouncing the British media for using the Odemwinge story to deflect attention away from the resignation of Lord Triesman in May.

“They did this by looking for negatives about a competitor,” he said.

English bid officials will nevertheless be furious with Sorokin’s comments since they have long made a point of stressing the safe, multi-cultural element of English football compared with the dark days of hooliganism.

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