Despite criminal investigations engulfing FIFA, the governing body of world football, Russia is still continuing with its preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
After ex-FIFA official Chuck Blazer admitted to accepting bribes for choosing countries to play hosts for the World Cups, US prosecutors are now investing the bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, won by Russia and Qatar respectively.
However, Russian Olympic Committee head Alexander Zukhov said he thinks there would be no boycotts.
Zhukov said they have heard statements, including from politicians, but, he thought the sporting community would never do it and won’t allow the world of sport to be split, insisting that cooperation with FIFA was going on and, most importantly, Russia was continuing preparations for the 2018 World Cup.
Earlier, the US prosecutors indicted 14 people on charges of bribery, racketeering and money laundering. Four others have been charged, including Mr. Blazer.
The fallout from the US investigation into FIFA has led to an unparalleled crisis for the governance of world football, forcing Sepp Blatter to resign as FIFA president on Tuesday, after being re-elected at the FIFA congress.
