By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
November 30 – Will Vladimir Putin come or won’t he? That was the burning question on everyone’s lips as Russia’s 2018 World Cup bid team made their final media appearance today before putting the finishing touches to their campaign to become hosts for the first time.
Much has been made of the impact an appearance by the charismatic Russian Prime Minister could have on Russia’s all-important final presentation to FIFA voting members on Thursday (December 2).
But despite rumours that Putin was flying into Zurich tomorrow for a meeting with FIFA President Sepp Blatter, the Russians gave the broadest hint yet that he will remain in Moscow – one interpretation being that Putin would not want to be associated with a defeat.
“Prime Minister Putin has been involved on a daily basis,” said Vitaly Mutko, Russia’s FIFA Executive Committee member and chairman of their bid.
“Whether he is coming to Zurich or not, he will decide for himself – the key thing is that he supports the bid.
“Of course it’s a pivotal moment in the bidding but it’s not the key event.
“Why are we making such a great fuss about the final presentation?
“At the end of the day, its mission is to make the argument stronger and encourage those who already decided to vote for you.
“It’s not a key element for him to be here, in terms of the success of the bid.
“I would not exaggerate the presence of the leaders here in Zurich.”
To many observers, however, Mutko’s statement seemed like an early concession speech especially as Putin is widely regarded as being Russia’s trump card after the impact he made in securing the winter Olympics for Sochi in 2014.
If it was an admission of failure, the theme continued.
Just as he has been throughout the campaign, Mutko was at pains to stress the new Russia and could not contain his anger at persistent rumours of collusion between rivals Spain/Portugal and 2022 contenders Qatar which could fatally undermine his country’s campaign.
“Russia is one of the countries very concerned about possible collusion,” Mutko said.
“On the table was a product that suggested, possibly, some vote exchanges.
“We do not favour that even though in some cases there are obvious alliances.
“This is a momentous decision not just for football but for the development of our country.
“It does not seem right that some candidates will do what is required, travel to every Confederation as invited but other countries make no efforts to promote their bid and suddenly become favourites.
“That is a situation that is not just.
“We have done all we can do – there isn’t much we can do now.”
Mutko joined the chorus of disapproval over FIFA’s decision to stage simultaneous votes.
“There were some ExCo members who opposed this,” he said.
“Behind every bid there have been hundreds of people working hard, but to change the rules again would have been worse.”
He admitted that Russia could not stage the World Cup as things are now but clearly believes FIFA would be going against its own moral code by awarding 2018 elsewhere.
“There are several important factors, including how much our bid is within the FIFA philosophy of promoting the game globally, to leave a substantial legacy and bring the game to new countries.
“Of course it’s a risk and it would be far easier for FIFA to go to countries with high infrastructure.
“But why can some countries stage the World Cup two or three times and others cannot just because they have low ratings?”
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