FIFA "reached an agreement to broadcast the Confederations Cup in host nation Russia," it said on Sunday, six days before the tournament gets under way, according to Brian Homewood of REUTERS. The global football body said that it granted media rights to the 2SPORT2 consortium, representing Channel One, RTR and Match TV, which it said would ensure "comprehensive TV, internet, mobile and radio coverage of the competition." The deal "averted the embarrassing possibility of the eight-team tournament, which is seen as a dress rehearsal for next year's World Cup in Russia, not being shown in the host nation." FIFA said in a statement that all FIFA Confederations Cup matches will be shown live on free-to-air TV by Channel 1 and Match TV. Live radio transmissions will be provided by RTR, it added (REUTERS, 6/11). The AP reported the "last-minute negotiations are highly unusual for FIFA, which prefers to ink broadcast deals several years before big events." FIFA wanted Russia to sign a deal covering the World Cup and the Confederations Cup. However, Russian officials "balked at the cost." Deputy PM Vitaly Mutko previously accused FIFA of "overcharging for World Cup rights." FIFA did not say how much the Russian broadcasters will pay for rights to the Confederations Cup (AP, 6/11).
