Putin: World Cup in safe hands

Vladimir Putin has assured FIFA that the World Cup is in safe hands after Russia was awarded the right to host the tournament in 2018.

Russia surprised the joint-bid of Spain/Portugal and also beat out competition from England and the joint-bid of the Netherlands and Belgium to be awarded football’s biggest showcase in eight years time.

Putin, the Russian Prime Minister, was not present at the announcement in Zurich, but has already promised the government’s full backing to make the tournament a success.

“I would like to thank the members of the FIFA executive committee for their decision, that they trusted us with staging the football World Cup,” Putin said.

“This confidence was based on the fact that Russia is worthy of staging the football championship.”

“I would like to assure the FIFA leadership that we will do everything possible to ensure that the 2018 World Cup is staged at a deserving level.”

“I would like to congratulate everyone who loves sport in our country, all the fans of this beautiful game – football. This is a big celebration for us all.”

“Russia loves football, Russia knows what football is and in our country we have everything to conduct the 2018 World Cup on a very worthy level.”

After setting the pace early on in the process, Russia’s bid appeared to suffer from unfavourable technical reports – with corruption, tourist infrastructure and travel logistics chief among the concerns of many observers.

Despite the drawbacks, FIFA appear to have been swayed by the prospect of awarding the tournament to a country for the first time, one which straddles both Europe and Asia.

“The decision corresponds with FIFA’s philosophy for developing football, especially in those regions of the world where that development is needed,” Putin said.

Putin’s deputy, Igor Shugalov, repeated the pre-vote sentiment that awarding the tournament to Russia for the first time would be an unprecedented act by the world game’s governing body.

“You have trusted us with the World Cup, we will not disappoint you. Let’s make history together,” Shugalov said.