England 2018 bid team make formal complaint over Russia

Oct 26, 2010, 14:46 GMT

London - England made a formal complain to FIFA on Tuesday over comments made about London by the head of the Russian team bidding to host the 2018 World Cup.

Andrei Sorokin, the chief executive of Russia 2018, last week highlighted London's 'high crime rate' and the high level of alcohol consumption among teenagers, comments that seem to contravene FIFA's rules about discussing rival bidders.

Sorokin initially apologised, but then reiterated that his comments were true, provoking England to make the complaint

It is believed the England bid team is seeking a formal apology from Sorokin rather than expecting FIFA's ethics committee to deal with the complaint before the vote on December 2.

The ethics committee is already dealing with allegations of corruption involving two members of FIFA's executive committee who will vote on the hosts of 2018 and 2022, and with accusations that two of the prospective hosts had colluded in vote swapping.

'We do not enter into squabbles, although we have much to say,' Sorokin had told Sport Express.

'It's no secret, for example, that in London they have the highest crime rate compared with other European cities, and the highest level of alcohol consumption among young people.'

He also denied that Russia had a problem with racism, and pointed out that the US flag had been burned at Old Trafford as part of a protest by Manchester United fans against the ownership of the club by the Glazer family.

Sorokin insisted Russia had no real problem with racism and pointed out that anti-Glazer fans had burned a Stars and Stripes flag at Old Trafford.

'We could have a conversation about the lack of tolerance and the inciting of ethnic hatred by English fans,' he said.

'But we do not behave like someone who is always saying bad things about their neighbours.'

England is competing with Russia and joint-bids from Belgium-Netherlands and Spain-Portugal to host the 2018 World Cup.

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