England withdraws Russia complaint 29/10/2010 |
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England's 2018 World Cup bid team is to drop its official complaint to Fifa after rival bidder Russia apologised for earlier comments.
Russian bid leader Alexei Sorokin upset England 2018 last week with remarks he made about London, suggesting the city had a high crime rate and youth alcohol problems.
Fifa rules prohibit comments about rival bidders and England demanded a public apology.
The matter was taken to Fifa this week when England lodged a formal complaint, despite Russia sending a “letter of explanation”.
Sorokin claimed that his quotes, which first appeared in a Russian newspaper, were misinterpreted.
But he refused to say sorry because he did not feel as though he had broken any rules.
However, a spokesman for the England bid has now revealed that an apology has been received from Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko and that the complaint will be withdrawn.
"Mr Mutko approached the England 2018 bid team with a genuine apology in an honourable manner," said the spokesman.
"We, of course, accepted this apology and appreciate the gesture. We now wish to move on from this matter."
Meanwhile, fellow 2018 bidders Spain-Portugal have denied allegations of a pact with 2022 hopefuls Qatar over the voting process for the two tournaments.
Fifa is looking into claims of collusion between the two bids, which is banned and could lead to disqualification.
"The Iberian bid already told Fifa that it does not have any agreement with any other bidding nation," Miguel Angel Lopez, chief executive of the Spanish-Portuguese candidacy, said in a statement.
Lopez added that the bid team had offered its full co-operation to Fifa.
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