Future Of Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium In Question Ahead Of 2018 World Cup

There is a row in Russia over whether Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, which hosted the 1980 Olympics, "should be demolished and rebuilt in time for the 2018 World Cup or saved because of its historic importance," according to Duncan Mackay of INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL. Sports Minister & Russia 2018 Chair Vitaly Mutko has again "raised the possibility of knocking the stadium down" next year after it has hosted the Int'l Association of Athletics Federations World Championships and "building a new arena on the site." However, the government-funded agency overseeing the renovation of the stadium, Mosproekt-4, has said that it "should be renovated while keeping its key architectural features." The idea of demolishing Luzhniki Stadium and rebuilding "had been considered and discarded." Now, Mutko has "again raised the possibility." Mutko: "The Moscow City Government has not yet examined the concept completely" (INSIDE WORLD FOOTBALL, 11/25).