MOSCOW, 24 January 2010 - For the second time within three months FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter paid a visit to Russia, this time for a meeting with Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev and in order to attend the 18th Commonwealth of Independent States Cup. His previous journey to Russia took place on 15 October 2009 for a meeting with Russia's Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin.

On Friday, 22 January, President Medvedev, who underlined the popularity of football in his country, received the FIFA President at the Kremlin.

"Football is our most popular sport," Medvedev said. "People love it everywhere so it's not surprising then that they love it in Russia, too. Even today, when it is minus 25 [degrees Celsius] outside, people are playing football."

During the one-hour meeting President Medvedev re-emphasized Russia's keen interest in being awarded the right to host either the 2018 or the 2022 edition of the FIFA World Cup. He stressed Russia's commitment and readiness by emphasizing the full support of the country's government, as evidenced by the creation of a new federal steering committee for Russia's bid. The committee has been established under First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov, with Sports Minister and member of the FIFA Executive Committee, Vitaly Mutko, acting as co-chairman.

Blatter welcomed the commitment and emphasised the importance of FIFA's flagship competition leaving a legacy. "This idea is coming to life here in Russia. That is why I feel a whole-hearted affinity for the Russian bid," Blatter said.

Mr. Blatter added: "I was honoured to have been received by the Russian President. He pointed out the immense interest of the Russian population in football and we also found a common language immediately when discussing the social role that football can still play in our society."

CIS and Baltic Cup a visible symbol of Russia's legacy work with neighbouring countries

Russian football has provided a consistent legacy for some 20 years by maintaining very close contacts with former the Soviet republic football associations, which are organized within the framework of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), also joined by the three Baltic States. One of the most visible symbols of this cooperation is the annual CIS and Baltic Cup.  

At the same time, the tournament also serves for meetings with the FIFA President, who has been regular visitor over many years, as well as with UEFA President Michel Platini, who arrived in Moscow on 23 January for the association meetings and the final stages of the tournament on 24 January.

Vitaly Mutko, Russian Sports Minister and bid co-chairman, took great pleasure in welcoming the two presidents in Moscow. "It is a great honour and privilege for Russian football to have the both FIFA and the UEFA President as our guests. Not only because of our bid, but especially due to the fact that since the inception of the CIS and Baltic Cup, they have been  regulars guests of this event and have taken great interest in its promotion for the good of football in the CIS states."

The CIS and Baltic Cup, an indoor-event which was set up in the early 1990's to bring together the club champions, has become a traditional highlight on the fixture list of football in Russia and the CIS and Baltic region.  

The two presidents attended individual and traditional meetings with the participating member associations, holding discussions on a number of topics including the importance of sustainable youth development at a national level, as well as the equal importance of grassroots sport.

Other key issues discussed were the need for appropriate facilities. In this respect, the Russian Football Union, with support of the government, has already launched an ambitious program to modernize and enhance the football infrastructure in both amateur and professional football. In 2004, there were only 80 standard football pitches with artificial turf in Russia. At the end of 2009, over 400 football pitches with artificial turf, representing the most modern requirements in existence.

For more information:

Russian Football Union Media Office
Phone: +7 (495) 926 13 00
Fax: +7 (495) 926 13 05
E-mail: info@rfs.ru

Russia Bid Committee for the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup™
Andreas Herren, International Media Coordinator
Mobile: +41 (79) 799 0046
E-mail: media@russia2018-2022.com