Russia on track for 2018 World Cup, says Infantino
MOSCOW: FIFA president Gianni Infantino has praised Russia’s preparations thus far for its hosting of the 2018 World Cup finals.
Concerns have been raised about cost-cutting amid the financial pressures felt in Russia in the international political arena after the inventions in Crimea and eastern Ukraine.
However Infantino emerged declaring a positive impression of what is being undertaken, little more than two years from the first World Cup to be staged in eastern Europe.
Infantino began with a visit to the Luzhniki Stadium which is being redeveloped to stage, among others, the Opening Match and Final of Russia 2018. He was escorted by Moscow’s Mayor Sergey Sobyanin and continued to the 2018 Countdown Clock next to Red Square along with LOC ceo Alexey Sorokin and Zvonimir Boban, the former Croatia midfielder accompanying the FIFA President on his visit to Russia and Qatar.
Later came a meeting with Russian football veteran Nikita Simonyan and a briefing on development and legacy opportunities with local federation officials federation president Vitaly Mutko who is also Sports Minister, LOC head and a member of the FIFA executive committee.
Infantino said: “I am very excited about this visit and my first FIFA World Cup as President. I am impressed with what is going on in football in this country, not only with staging the FIFA World Cup but also the Russian Football Union’s plans when it comes to football development.
“Minister Mutko and his team are doing a great job.
“I can say that we are on track here and have the full commitment that everything will be done in accordance with the schedule. Everyone in Russia is conscious that there is still a lot to be done, on the construction at the stadia, on accommodation and on infrastructure.
“We can’t lose any days, but again from all I have experienced, I am convinced it will be a great success.”
Infantino also expressed a hope that the 2018 World Cup finals would be the first to feature video assistance for referees as is to be trialled over the next two years by the International Board.
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