FIFA rejects calls to strip Russia of World Cup
In this file photo taken on Sunday, July 13, 2014, Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff , left, FIFA President Sepp Blatter, center, and Russian President Vladimir Putin are seen during the official ceremony of handover to Russia as the 2018 World Cup hosts, after the World Cup final soccer match between Germany and Argentina at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. AP FILE PHOTO/RIA-Novosti, Alexei Nikolsky, Presidential Press Service
ZURICH — FIFA has rejected calls to move the 2018 World Cup from Russia, saying the tournament “can achieve positive change.”
Russia’s alleged involvement in shooting down a Malaysia Airlines plane over Ukraine last week prompted calls from some lawmakers in Germany to review the country’s hosting rights.
On Friday, FIFA issued a statement saying it “deplores any form of violence” and would support only peaceful, democratic debate about the World Cup.
“History has shown so far that boycotting sport events or a policy of isolation or confrontation are not the most effective ways to solve problems,” FIFA said, adding that global attention on the World Cup “can be a powerful catalyst for constructive dialogue between people and governments.”
The conflict between Ukraine and pro-Russia separatist rebels escalated days after the World Cup ended in Brazil.
On July 13 in Rio de Janeiro, Russian President Vladimir Putin attended a World Cup hosting handover ceremony with Brazilian counterpart Dilma Rousseff. Both then sat next to FIFA President Sepp Blatter to watch the final at the Maracana Stadium, won by Germany.
FIFA, which has Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko on its executive committee, said a World Cup in the country “can be a force for good.”
“FIFA believes this will be the case for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia,” the governing body said.
Blatter already rejected calls to strip Russia of the tournament after it annexed the Crimea this year.
“The World Cup has been given and voted to Russia and we are going forward with our work,” Blatter said in March.
