MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Moscow expects that the corruption scandal will not be used to tarnish the international football organization and the decisions it has taken.
“Without going into the details of the charges, we draw attention to the fact that this is another case of illegal extraterritorial application of US laws,” ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said in a statement.
“Once again, we urge Washington to stop attempts to render justice in accordance with its own legal standards far beyond its borders, and follow generally accepted international legal procedures.”
"Only Jack Warner [Central America and Caribbean Association Football’s former president] and Nicolas Leoz [South American Football Confederation’s former president] voted, allegedly for the United States and for the joint bid of Spain and Portugal respectively,” Koloskov said.
Both senior officials are facing corruption charges but were not arrested on Wednesday.
Russia’s Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for the 2018 FIFA World Cup said in a statement Wednesday that it carries out preparations for the event with transparency.
The committee reiterated that the Russian World Cup campaign was in full compliance with FIFA rules and statutes. "Russia was awarded the right to host the FIFA World Cup because of our compelling proposition we put together."
