Russia's bid chief slams UK scribes
Source: Agencies |
October 20, 2010, Wednesday
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Print Edition
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RUSSIA'S 2018 World Cup bid chief defended himself yesterday over allegations that he broke FIFA rules by publicly criticizing England's rival campaign.
"Those reports are totally false and untrue," Russian bid head Alexei Sorokin said yesterday after his interview in the local paper Sport-Express made headlines in Britain.
Sorokin was quoted as saying in the paper: "It's no secret that London has the highest crime rate when compared with other European cities, and the highest level of alcohol consumption among young people."
Sorokin also said British media has tried to portray Russia as a racist country "which is not true".
The displaying of a racist banner by fans targeting former Lokomotiv Moscow striker Peter Odemwingie, who is now with West Ham United, was an isolated incident, Sorokin said.
Sorokin did say that in his comments he had criticized some British journalists who in his words "would do anything to make up a story".
"I must say it's some of the unscrupulous British journalists that make up such stories," he said.
"As far as myself and all our bid officials are concerned, we never say anything on the England bid or other rival bidders for that matter. On the contrary, we try to stay away from any controversy, in particular criticizing our rivals."
Russia and England are bidding for the 2018 finals along with joint bids from Spain/Portugal and Belgium/Netherlands.
"Those reports are totally false and untrue," Russian bid head Alexei Sorokin said yesterday after his interview in the local paper Sport-Express made headlines in Britain.
Sorokin was quoted as saying in the paper: "It's no secret that London has the highest crime rate when compared with other European cities, and the highest level of alcohol consumption among young people."
Sorokin also said British media has tried to portray Russia as a racist country "which is not true".
The displaying of a racist banner by fans targeting former Lokomotiv Moscow striker Peter Odemwingie, who is now with West Ham United, was an isolated incident, Sorokin said.
Sorokin did say that in his comments he had criticized some British journalists who in his words "would do anything to make up a story".
"I must say it's some of the unscrupulous British journalists that make up such stories," he said.
"As far as myself and all our bid officials are concerned, we never say anything on the England bid or other rival bidders for that matter. On the contrary, we try to stay away from any controversy, in particular criticizing our rivals."
Russia and England are bidding for the 2018 finals along with joint bids from Spain/Portugal and Belgium/Netherlands.
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