Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said on Friday that "FIFA had awarded Russia top marks for its work in 2015 on World Cup preparations," according to RT. The advanced grade "results from Russia's preparations being ahead of schedule for the 2018 World Cup." Mutko, who is also the head of the 2018 Local Organizing Committee, "spoke in detail about Russia's World Cup preparations, pointing out that construction on planned facilities was underway alongside infrastructure upgrades." Mutko: "We have completed the projects concepts concerning security, communications and transportation. Back in 2013 the Russian government adopted a special program, which included about 300 facilities. They are all currently under construction paid for by the federal budget. ... In general -- the work is currently underway in all possible directions, everything goes in line with the announced schedule and everything is under our control" (RT, 12/28). THE NEWS NIGERIA reported Mutko said that FIFA President Sepp Blatter and UEFA President Michel Platini "will have no effect on Russia staging the 2018 World Cup." Mutko’s comments "come despite Blatter, who will step down from his role at next year’s Congress, claiming an agreement was in place to give Russia the 2018 World Cup before the vote took place." Mutko said, "I think this will not affect us and preparations for the World Cup. I see no problems here. We make regular reports on preparations and get approval. There are no reasons to strip us of the World Cup" (NEWS NIGERIA, 12/28).
CANDIDATES CALL FOR REFORM: CCTV reported FIFA presidential candidates Prince Ali bin al-Hussein and Gianni Infantino "are calling for reform." The two contenders "promised to make sweeping overhauls, if elected, while speaking at a panel discussion during the 10th annual Dubai International Sports Conference." Prince Ali "spoke of his desire to implement change in the organization."
Infantino, "who is UEFA's General Secretary, stated that only strong leadership can bring about the reforms necessary to restore credibility at the governing body."
The pair "are two of five men seeking to replace" Blatter in February's special election. The other three are former FIFA official Jérôme Champagne of France; South African businessman Tokyo Sexwale; and Asian Football Confederation President Sheikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain (CCTV, 12/28).
FKF INVESTIGATION: The BBC's Abdinoor Aden wrote Football Kenya Federation President Sam Nyamweya and two other officials are being investigated for "conspiracy to defraud."
Kenya's Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is "looking into the case following a recommendation from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations."
The case centers on how almost $170,000, set aside for Kenya's trip to Cape Verde for a 2018 World Cup qualifier in November, "was actually used."
FKF Secretary General Michael Esakwa and FKF acting Finance Manager Samson Cherop "are also being investigated" (BBC, 12/28).
