U.S. Senator says contenders for host nation for World Cup 2018 would help FIFA find an alternative to Russia
The American Democratic Senator from Connecticut, Richard Blumenthal, suggests that other countries willing to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup as well as the U.S. Football Federation can help the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to find an alternative for Russia. This is stated in a letter to FIFA president Giovanni Infantino, which the politician sent on Wednesday.
In his message, Blumenthal urges FIFA leadership to reconsider the decision to hold the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
"FIFA must stand up for the values of soccer players and fans all over the world by rejecting Russia as a host country. I recognize the courage and decisiveness this action requires from you. I suggest that the other nations wishing to host the 2018 World Cup and the Unites States Soccer Federation would assist in the location of a suitable alternative venue," reads the message.
Earlier, Russia's deputy prime minister Vitaly Mutko, commenting on Blumenthal’s intention to propose the transfer of the venue of the championship, said that such an initiative has no connection with sports. "That’s self-defeating. It's clear that attacks on Russia, which are connected with politics, will continue. It's clear that this has nothing to do with sports," he said.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup will be held from June 14 to July 15, 2018 at 12 stadiums in 11 Russian cities: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Saransk, Sochi, Kaliningrad, Ekaterinburg, Rostov-on-Don, Volgograd and Samara.