England not cheated out of 2018 World Cup bid: Putin

LONDON - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has said that England was not “cheated” out of holding the 2018 World Cup.

Russia and Qatar were named as hosts of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup soccer tournaments on Thursday.

Asked if he thought England had been cheated in its bid, he said: “No, I don’t think. You know, Great Britain is a great football country and in Russia we have a lot of fans of your football in general and your football players in particular.”

“Great Britain lost. It lost, but we are waiting for you in 2018 and we will do our best for the football players, for the English football players, for them to realise themselves,” the Daily Express quoted Putin, as saying.

But England fans will feel apprehensive about travelling to Russia for the World Cup, a supporters’ spokesman said last night.

If England do qualify, getting around promises to be an expensive logistical problem. Racism has also been an issue in the domestic game, the paper reports.

Fans who visited Moscow for two recent showpiece occasions - England’s Euro 2008 qualifier in October 2007 and the Champions League final between Manchester United and Chelsea seven months later - have bad memories of their time there. (ANI)