Russia Cuts Foreign Suppliers From 2018 FIFA World Cup Build

Russian First Deputy PM Igor Shuvalov, in response to the falling value of the ruble and the increased cost on imported materials, "ordered a review of the supply chain for the infrastructure construction for the 2018 World Cup in Russia," according to Paul Nicholson of INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL. Shuvalov "wants the removal of 'intermediary' companies who push the price of materials through their commissions." There "is also pressure to look at more ways to substitute imported equipment and materials to domestic Russian suppliers." The government "has set a working group to explore the options available." Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said that currently "imported materials account for about 70% of the construction materials for the World Cup 2018 build." He believes that 20% "could be knocked off this figure without need to enforce any change to current plans, and that a further 40% could be switched if the government changed certain criteria" (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 2/13).