• World Cup 2018

Russian PM Putin snubs FIFA vote

ESPNsoccernet staff
December 1, 2010
Vladimir Putin has opted not to travel to Zurich © Getty Images
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Russia's hopes of winning the right to host the 2018 World Cup finals have been hit by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's decision not to travel with the rest of the delegation for the vote.

Speculation early on Monday suggested Putin had pulled out of the final stages of lobbying in Zurich, where he was expected to attend as a figurehead of the government and play a crucial part in the bid's campaign. Russia are sending First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov in his place.

Putin was missing from the official list of speakers before he confirmed to ministers in Russia that he will remain at home as the clock ticks down to the decision, which is due to be announced at around 1500 GMT on Thursday.

There is the suggestion that Putin has pulled out as he cannot be seen to be linked to a failed bid. The Russians have been long-term favourites to come out on top, just ahead of England and Spain/Portugal. Netherlands/Belgium is considered to be a long outside bet to host in 2018.

Putin will be the only head of government from the 2018 bidding nations not to be present.

"I would love to represent our entry in person," he told ministers in Moscow. "However, under these circumstances, I think it would be best not to go out of respect for the members of the FIFA executive committee, so that they can make their decision in peace and without any outside pressure."

Putin also claimed that Russia had faced "unscrupulous competition" throughout the bidding process, which is believed to be a thinly-veiled attack on the Spain/Portugal bid and allegations that it colluded with Qatar's 2022 team.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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