Exclusive: Sorokin calls for hatchet to be buried before Mutko apologises to England 2018

By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich

October 28 – Russia’s 2018 World Cup bid leader today called for an end to the war of words with England and urged both nations to bury their differences.

Alexei Sorokin, whose comments to a Russian sports newspaper about the habits of Londoners prompted an official complaint by England and a string of subsequent tit-for-tit remarks, said the time had come to move on and stop the bickering.

In an interview with insideworldfootball while FIFA’s Executive Committee were meeting to discuss more pressing affairs of bribery and corruption, Sorokin said he was tired of the entire episode and wanted the chance to get back to stressing the merits of the Russian bid.

“We think our messages are powerful enough not be undermined or overshadowed by anything,” Sorokin said.

“Our merits are strong and are valid.

“What has been happening recently about our alleged stand-off with England has been largely exaggerated.”

England had been holding out for a full apology from Sorokin who insists his words were taken out of context, did not break FIFA’s code of ethics and did not merit the storm of media coverage that followed.

“We never saw this whole fuss coming,” he said.

“If I said something hurtful and offensive I would apologise.

“But I have said 100 times I know what I said.”

No sooner had Sorokin spoken than an apology did come – from Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko (pictured), a member of all-important FIFA Executive Committee.

It had the desired effect as England’s bid team immediately agreed to withdraw their complaint to FIFA, consigning the whole sorry episode to history.

“Mr Mutko approached the England 2018 bid team with a genuine apology in an honourable manner,” said a spokesperson for England 2018.

“We, of course, accepted this apology and appreciate the gesture. We now wish to move on from this matter.”

The spat had escalated yesterday after Vyacheslav Koloskov, Honorary President of the Russian Football Union, was quoted in Moscow as saying England’s complaint was both “primitive” and “comical” and prompted by fears they were lagging behind the Russians.

Asked whether such remarks were unfortunate, Sorokin would not be drawn but pointed out that Koloskov was not part of the Russian bid.

“He is therefore entitled to his own opinion,” he said.

What is fact is that Sorokin has still not seen a copy of the English complaint to FIFA, sent in over a week ago and kept secret until published by insideworldfootball on Tuesday (October 26).

“We still don’t know why it happened but the whole thing has been blown out of proportion,” said Sorokin.

“We have a lot better relationship with our colleagues than some might presume.”

Filing a complaint against Sorokin would not have been taken without careful consideration but there are those who believe it was not the wisest action by England given the fact it was kept secret and that more serious issues of corruption are being debated.

England bid officials such as Andy Anson and David Dein have endeavoured to keep a low profile during their various lobbying meetings in Zurich but Sorokin said there had been a conscious effort to bury the hatchet.

“In the last two days we have said repeatedly to our English colleagues that we have a lot of respect for them,” he said.

“I have never tried to hide but there is no trace of personal hostility.

“We would like to draw a line both under this and subjective approaches to one another.

“We hope our English colleagues do too.”

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