FIFA inspectors praise Russia World Cup bid

MOSCOW (AFP) – A delegation of FIFA inspectors on Thursday praised Russia’s bid to host the World Cup, saying they were particularly impressed by the commitment of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

The inspectors’ comments came after a four-day visit to Russia, the fifth stop of their two-month tour of nine candidates vying to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

“After four days of our visit we received all the necessary information that we needed to work out an objective and fair report,” said Harold Mayne-Nicholls, the head of the six-man FIFA team.

“I’d like to praise Russia’s bid committee on behalf of my colleagues and FIFA,” said Mayne-Nicholls, who is also the Chilean Football Federation president.

“In all of the cities that we visited we’ve got full support and plenty of information.”

The inspectors panel chief added that the meeting with Putin was very useful for the FIFA inspectors.

“He (Putin) gave us clear government guarantees in support of the bid to host the World Cup,” Mayne-Nicholls said.

“We were all impressed with the commitment that the prime minister showed along with his knowledge of the country’s bid book.”

The inspectors have already visited Japan, South Korea, Australia and tested the joint bid of Netherlands and Belgium.

After their visit to Russia the team — including FIFA event management chief Juergen Mueller and marketing head David Fowler — next visits England, Spain-Portugal, the United States and Qatar.

It will draw up a technical report on the bids for FIFA’s 24 executives, who are due to choose the hosts for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups on December 2 in Zurich.

Japan, South Korea, Australia and Qatar, all members of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), have submitted bids for 2022 only, while the others are campaigning for both — amid growing expectations Europe will get the 2018 edition after Brazil in 2014.

Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko also expressed his satisfaction with his country’s presentations, adding he was hoping the FIFA panel report would be impartial.

“It was a serious business-like visit,” Mutko said. “But the atmosphere of the visit was really pleasant. The FIFA inspectors are true professionals and, I believe, they gained some insight even after such a brief visit.”

“We are all eager to get the right to host the World Cup,” he added.

“We tried to present our opportunities and plans the best possible way and answer all the questions of the FIFA inspectors.

“And we once again confirmed all the guarantees that we are ready to undertake to hold the event at the top level.”

The FIFA inspectors started their Russian visit in Saint Petersburg on Monday.

They also visited the Russian capital Moscow, Kazan — the hometown of Russia’s football champions Rubin — and the southern resort city of Sochi, where the 2014 Winter Olympics will take place.