I would like to inform you that I have just had a telephone conversation with FIFA President Joseph Blatter during which I told him that a Russian delegation will fly to Zurich today to present the Russian bid to host the 2018 World Cup. The delegation will be led by First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov.
I would like to make several comments regarding the bid process. Recently, we have been saddened to see a campaign, an overt campaign unleashed against members of the FIFA Executive Committee, who are being smeared and compromised. I see this as unfair competition in the run-up to the vote to choose the host of the World Cup.
FIFA does not just arrange football matches. It is a major international organisation that performs a very important social role in the world. It does not merely organise sporting events; it does important social work. It is no secret that football, probably the most popular sport in the world, keeps young people off the streets and away from drugs and alcohol. And I consider these methods employed during the bid process to be absolutely unacceptable.
Of course, I would very much like to go to Zurich myself and personally present our bid. However, under the circumstances, I believe that I should refrain from attending out of respect for the FIFA members, out of respect for members of the FIFA Executive Committee, in order to give them an opportunity to make an unbiased decision calmly and without any outside pressure. By the same token, I urge my foreign colleagues to do the same.
The World Cup has never been held in Russia or Eastern Europe in general. Russia has both the desire and the capacity, including the financial capacity, to host this major sporting event. If this honour is bestowed on us, we will prove ourselves to be a worthy host. If our country is selected, I will of course immediately meet with President Joseph Blatter and the members of the FIFA Executive Committee to discuss the plans to prepare for the World Cup in Russia in 2018. Igor (addressing Igor Shuvalov), please go to Zurich today and give a proper presentation of our bid.