England 2018 are ready to withdraw their complaint to FIFA against the head of Russia's World Cup bid after receiving an apology from the Russian sports minister.
The English bid team had complained that Alexei Sorokin, chief executive of Russia 2018, highlighted London's "high crime rate" and youth alcohol problems. Tensions between the rival bidders then intensified after Viacheslav Koloskov, honorary president of the Russian Football Union, referred to England 2018 as "absolutely primitive" and "comical".
However the England 2018 team are keen to move on from the controversy, and Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko was keen to bring the bidding back on more friendly terms. A spokesperson for England 2018 said: "Mr Mutko approached England 2018 chairman Geoff Thompson with a genuine apology in an honourable manner."
The spokesperson continued: "We, of course, accepted this apology and appreciate the gesture. We now wish to move on from this matter."
Source: PA
