On December 2nd 2010, the hopes of the nation considered to be the “home of football” were crushed as the president of FIFA, Sepp Blatter, announced that Russia would host the 2018 World Cup. The outcry and backlash from the English was swift and full of profanities. “We were robbed,” was the most common reaction with thousands suggesting corruption was a major reason as to why England weren’t awarded the privilege of hosting the 2018 World Cup. “Nobody wants to go to Russia for the World Cup!” they said. FIFA did.
The claims of corruption stink of hypocrisy from the English. Friendlies in Thailand and Trinidad were organised with the assurance of getting a vote in the 2018 bid. Not forgetting to mention the fact that the bid team gave a handbag to each wife of every voting committee member in a ploy to get votes. Perhaps those who criticise should look closer to home before pointing out the faults of others.
Lokomotiv Moscow fans give a distasteful goodbye to Peter Odemwingie
However, one of the flaws in Russian football is the seemingly incessant issue of racism. There have been well-documented incidents of racism within Russian football of late: particularly the banner made by Lokomotiv Moscow fans following the departure of Peter Odemwingie to West Brom. Manchester City’s Jo has also told of the abuse he suffered whilst playing for CSKA Moscow. Perhaps the most alarming incident of all, however, is the story of Zenit St Petersburg under the management of Dick Advocaat, who refused to sign any black players because of the abuse they would suffer at the hands of the Zenit fans.
Whilst it appears that the racism is a massive issue, which it cannot be denied that it is, the most feasible option of getting rid of it is to tackle it. However, it should not be tackled by simply throwing money at it; the best technique is to expose the Russian people to people of differing cultures which will hopefully result in the acceptance of foreigners in Russia and maybe even the acceptance of black players into Russian football. Whilst this is not a certainty, it is a possible solution that deserves a chance to be tested and in bringing the World Cup to Russia, FIFA are doing this.
The Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow will host the 2018 World Cup Final
Another complaint is of the stadia, with only the Luzhniki (78,360), the only stadium in Russia on UEFA’s Elite stadium list, and Gazprom Arena (69,501) having capacities that exceed 50,000. Calls have been made for the capacity of the Luzhniki to be increased to 89,318 as it is to host the final of the World Cup.
There are plans in place to build eight new stadiums in time for 2018 with the Sochi Olympic Stadium also being used for the World Cup. Most of the planned stadia have capacities of about 45,000 which seems to be very low given the magnitude of the competition that is to be held in Russia. Time is on Russia’s side in the bid to have all of the stadia built in time for 2018 and there is no doubt that both the resources and money are there to make it happen.
Given the size of Russia, issues with travel were bound to come up but the cities selected to host matches are clustered together in the western side of the nation. Despite this, a journey from Kazan to Saransk could take eight or nine hours by rail although it has been said that no nation will be required to travel such distance in 2018. A rail network will be set up in time for 2018 with all fans being given free travel. As with the stadia issue, time is on the side of Russia to resolve this issue.
Shameful scenes as Birmingham and Aston Villa fans clash
Doubts were cast upon the 2018 bid of England given the history of hooliganism from the fans; with recent examples coming from only last week as Birmingham and Aston Villa fans clashed after their Carling Cup tie in what looked like a scene from the old days. Other notable instances include Grimsby fans trashing the Pirelli stadium of Burton Albion following their relegation and the violent clashes between fans of local rivals Millwall and West Ham before, during and after their Carling Cup game last season.
That said, the Russians, and Zenit St Petersburg fans in particular, are no angels either. Zenit’s ultras raided a hotel that was hosting Hadjuk Split fans in October this year and left four Croats needing hospital treatment to head injuries. Zenit’s fans have also been accused of several other hooligan attacks in the recent past and, similarly to the racism issue, it is something that needs to be tackled sooner rather than later.
Looking on the brighter side of things, the long-term effect of
the World Cup could be massive for Russia. The money the World Cup will bring in is sure to boost their economy whilst also creating thousands of jobs at the same time, allowing people to be able to provide for their families. It is a similar situation to that of South Africa, host nation of the World Cup earlier this year. The effects of the World Cup cannot be seen immediately as it takes time for the change to be established but, if all goes to plan, it will see the start of a bright period of time for Russia both on and off the field.
Landon Donovan is just one of many Americans who were inspired to play football by the 1994 World Cup in America
In terms of football, it is considered to be a sport for the world. Taking the World Cup to the same places over and over again is repetitive and boring and does not spread the Gospel of the ‘Beautiful Game’. For a country of its size and power, it is surprising that 2018 will be Russia’s first time hosting a World Cup. Although football is not the first sport of Russia, the same was said about America when it was awarded the 1994 World Cup and is an example of the long-term effects that were mentioned earlier. The current American team has players such as Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and DaMarcus Beasley who weren’t even in their teens in 1994. The World Cup in America will have, no doubt, inspired them to play football and the modern-day American football team is reaping those rewards.
By bringing the World Cup to Russia, FIFA has not only made the right decision but has also laid the foundations for the people of Russia to smash through the thousands of doors of opportunity put up for them by the 2018 World Cup.
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