Russian Prime Minister Orders Government To Keep 2018 World Cup Spending In Check

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Monday ordered the government to keep spending for the 2018 World Cup "in check," according to Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber of the MOSCOW TIMES. Medvedev: "Funds have already been allocated for the construction [of sports facilities, hotels and other infrastructure projects]. The costs are being calculated in different ways. But taking the current situation into account, we need to follow the financial plan that already exists." Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said on Monday that 12 stadiums "still need to be built, along with 64 training facilities and 102 training pitches, to accommodate the 32 teams that will participate in the next World Cup." Mutko also said that 10 host-city airports will need to "undergo restoration, and that a brand new airport will be built in the southern metropolis of Rostov-on-Don" (MOSCOW TIMES, 8/11).