Russia not involved in ‘fake scandals’ to nix England’s 2018 football WC bid
By ANIThursday, October 7, 2010
LONDON - Russia’s 2018 football World Cup bid chief Alexei Sorokin has rejected suggestions that his contingent was behind recent allegations about England star David Beckham’s private life and the sting that saw former FA Chairman Lord Triesman resign.
Conspiracy theories have grown in recent weeks after the false affair allegations against bid ambassador Beckham, with fingers being pointed in the direction of Moscow.
“We haven’t given FIFA any hard time with stupid complaints or fake scandals and we intend to do so until the end of the race,” The Telegraph quoted Sorokin, as saying.
“We have been focused on the benefits of our bid and will be for the next two months. I honestly do not think it has any ramification on Russia whatsoever.” The ideas that are floating around are ludicrous. We are just sad for our English fellow competitors that it happened to them this way. I honestly do not think that is going to be a factor for the progress of their bid,” he added.
He has also denied that issues with racism in domestic football could derail their campaign.
“Racism and its manifestations is a universal problem for the football world, no matter where you are. We can’t take one minor outbreak here and there and blow a tendency out of it,” Sorokin said.
“There is a very strong voice in Russia that condemns racism and sanctions against it,” he added. (ANI)
