Putin asks Abramovich to ‘open his wallet’ to help fund 2018 World Cup

LONDON - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has said that billionaire Roman Abramovich should “open his wallet” and help pay for the 2018 World Cup being hosted by his country.

The Chelsea’s owner is expected to take a leading role and invest heavily as Russia hosts the football World Cup.

Abramovich was a prominent member of Moscow’s delegation to Zurich, where Fifa last week awarded Russia the right to host the competition.

Abramovich is expected to give millions of dollars as Russia embarks on a 2.4 billion pound plan to build 13 new stadiums and renovate three existing ones, The Guardian reports.

A further seven billion pound is needed to improve tourism infrastructure, in particular to build affordable hotels for fans, it added.

Putin said after Russia’s win that Abramovich could ease government spending on construction for the World Cup by investing privately.

“I don’t rule out that Mr Abramovich may take part in one of these projects. Let him open his wallet a little. It’s no big deal - he won’t feel the pinch. He has plenty of money,” Putin said in televised comments.

John Mann, a spokesman for Abramovich’s holding company, Millhouse Capital, confirmed the businessman was willing to contribute “in partnership with the state”.

Several other Russian investors are expected to finance construction for the World Cup. Lukoil, the country’s largest oil company, is building a stadium for Spartak Moscow, BTB bank for Lokomotiv, and the Gazprom energy giant for Zenit in St Petersburg, the paper said. (ANI)