A Controversial World Cup

By Emily Gill
Soccer, the worlds most beloved sport, is bringing its largest tournament to Russia, the country
Ranker.com lists as the most disliked country in the world.
The Fdration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) chose Russia to host the 2018
World Cup. Some feel this will expand the game and is a good way to integrate Russia into the
global social community. However, rumors surrounding the bidding process, the political issues,
and potential economic issues have created turbulence in the soccer world.
Bribing Rumors
Rumors of bribes for the committee appeared before the final vote for the bid took place. FIFA
specifically investigated Japan, Korea, Qatar and Russia.
Christopher Van Aller, Ph.D., a political science professor at Winthrop University, indicated
belief that under the table deals were made. He called Russia one of the most corrupt countries
on earth. He said, International soccer is not the cleanest sport in the world.
Spencer Smith, the head womens soccer coach at Winthrop, said he would not be surprised if
there was something promised under the table to those on the committee. He said, You would
hope the committee would be strong and ethical enough to not be swayed by that.
Louis Pantuosco, Ph.D., is an avid soccer fan and professor of economics at Winthrop. He said,
Everybody cheats in soccer. Its obviously true [that bribes were involved]. Its an
embarrassment to the committee to be involved in such things.

The official investigation report from FIFA stated Russia did not completely comply with
reporting requirements. However, FIFA ultimately concluded none of the countries did anything
illegal.
Politics
Anne Cushman, a sophomore English major at Winthrop, plays for the schools womens soccer
team. She said, Especially with the tensions going on with Russia, I believe that the 2018
games are more important than ever for people to come together and act peacefully since we will
all be there for the same reason: to play a game we love.
Other groups are rejecting this idea and threatening to boycott the games.
UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg released a statement in The Sunday Times saying Russia
should not be allowed to host the event. He said, You cant have this, the beautiful game,
marred by the ugly aggression of Russia on the Russian-Ukrainian border.
Jrme Valcke, FIFA Secretary General, said, The World Cup is a sporting event and there is
nothing to do with politics and should not be used as a political tool by any groups.
Van Aller disagrees. He said, Putin wants Russia as a player on the world stage; its important
to him to gain prestige. He wants power to be part of his regime.
Van Aller believes Putin is utilizing sporting events like the World Cup and the 2014 Winter
Olympics to do so. He said, It will be interesting to see what the games reveal of Putins
Russia.
Infrastructure

Part of what remains to be seen is the quality of Russias infrastructure. Russian Sports Minister
Vitaly Mutko, who is in charge of organizing the World Cup, said, In general for fans it will be
very convenient." He said the flights to Ekaterinburg and St. Petersburg, each two to three hours,
are the longest.
Van Aller said infrastructure will be a problem because Russia is inefficient and corrupt. He
predicts production will run behind schedule.
Smith said, I would think theyve learned quite a bit from Sochi. It grew their infrastructure
and they wont have to build quite as many stadiums. Smith said reusing infrastructure from
Sochi would boost the economy.
Pantuosco said, The World Cup hasnt been a bust for anyone. Infrastructure hasnt decimated
anybody in the long run.
Destructive or not, infrastructure is pricey. An article from Journal of Sports Economics, Bread
or Games?: A Social Cost- Benefit Analysis of the World Cup, Bid of the Netherlands and the
Winning Russian Bid, said Germany spent 2 billion euros on infrastructure.
That is the roughly equivalent of $2.5 billion.
Russia meant to build 12 new stadiums. An article from Russian Life, World cup blues:
construction challenges ahead, said authorities are considering cutting the 11 host cities down to
10.

Photo courtesy of fifa.com

Infrastructures real challenge is not how much it costs. It is how it represents the country.
Pantuosco said, They dont want to embarrass themselves if they dont do a good job hosting,
Russia must create a decently organized and welcoming community. That is what soccer is all
about in the long run.
Erin McCarthy, a senior English major at the University of South Carolina, said, If you travel
internationally, it doesnt matter where you go. If you step into a bar or a pub, I can guarantee
there will be a soccer game on. There will be people cheering and there will be people cursing,
but either way you know that youre with people who share the same passion for the game that
you do. You may not even speak the same language, but you will know that you are among
friends.