Russia denies bribing FIFA officials to host 2018 World Cup

MOSCOW: The Kremlin on Tuesday “categorically” denied allegations that Russia had bribed FIFA officials for the right to host the 2018 World Cup.

“Russia absolutely legally got the right to organise the World Cup,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters. He said the decision was “not linked to any bribes, we categorically deny this.

“Russia organised the best football World Cup in history. We are proud of it,” he added. According to US Justice Department documents released Monday, FIFA officials received bribes to vote in favour of Russia.

“We have read the articles in the media. We do not understand what it is about,” Peskov said. The allegations are linked to a wide-ranging 2015 corruption scandal that led to the downfall of then-president Sepp Blatter.