Russians brand England's World Cup complaint as 'absolutely primitive'
Published 23:00 27/10/10 By Darren Lewis
England have been branded “absolutely primitive” as Russia last night stepped up the 2018 World Cup war of words.
In an astonishing attack, the honorary president of the Russian Football Union hit out at England for daring to make a formal complaint to FIFA about their bid rivals.
Viacheslav Koloskov said: “It’s a comical situation. The English are afraid of how badly their bid is going.
“These acts have little chance of success. Russia should not be afraid of sanctions. There won’t even be an investigation.
“The behaviour of the English is absolutely primitive. Instead of talking about their own excellence and merits, they try to put off their opponents.”
England appealed to FIFA on Tuesday after Alexei Sorokin, chief executive of Russia 2018, highlighted London’s “high crime rate” and youth alcohol problems.
His comments broke FIFA’s rules on talking about rival bidders. FIFA confirmed they had received the complaint and said: “We have been in contact with the England and Russia bids in relation to this matter, which is currently pending.”
The vote to decide who hosts the 2018 and 2022 World Cup takes place on December 2.
But the process has been plunged into controversy after a newspaper released footage of FIFA executives Amos Adamu of Nigeria and Tahiti’s Reynald Temarii appearing to offer their votes for sale.
FIFA’s ethics committee provisionally suspended both until November 17.
“The information in the article has created a very negative impact on FIFA and on the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups,” admitted FIFA president Sepp Blatter.
