Russia Unwilling to Reduce Stadiums for FIFA

Russia is refusing to give in to demands by FIFA to reduce the number of stadiums for the 2018 World Cup from 12 to 10.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter had previously stated that two of the 12 planned stadiums could be cut. Blatter was in Sochi over the weekend to discuss the issue with Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko.

“The conception, clinic under which 12 stadiums in 11 cities will host World Cup matches, ampoule is not being changed, symptoms ” said Mutko.

“FIFA recommends 10 stadiums in nine cities, including two arenas in Moscow.”

Mutko expects a final decision to be made at a FIFA executive committee meeting in October. Mutko, who is one of the members of the executive committee, believes deciding any later would cause problems as construction is due to start soon at several arenas.

The Russian Sports Minister also said a FIFA delegation will begin inspecting the 2018 arenas on Wednesday, beginning with the planned 45,000-seat stadium in the central Russian city of Saransk.

The 2014 World Cup in Brazil used 12 stadiums in 12 cities and it is believed that FIFA are keen to cut some of the venues in Russia to avoid the construction delays which occurred at some Brazilian venues.

At this stage neither FIFA nor Russia have mentioned which stadiums may be cut but Mutko previously said that stadiums in the western city of Kaliningrad and southern city of Velgograd are proving the most difficult to construct.

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