February 21 – In a transparent exercise in mutual back-slapping Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on Gianni Infantino to help ensure last year’s World Cup has a long-term legacy which isn’t always the case with World Cup hosts.
“Ahead of us we now have a different task, to use everything that was done for the World Cup, to use it effectively, and on this issue we are also counting on your support,” Putin said at a meeting with the FIFA president in Moscow.
Many Russian clubs have already seen a boost in attendance following the World Cup with some areas like Volgograd and Nizhny Novgorod doubling their average home attendance, though Sochi and Kaliningrad are lagging behind.
“We are currently in active work regarding the heritage of the World Cup and I would like to thank you once again for the provided assistance in the preparations to organize the world championship,” Putin told Infantino. “You may know already that as a sign of gratitude I have signed a decree to award you with Russia’s Order of Friendship.”
In response FIFA said: “The outcome so far has been extremely positive, with average stadium attendances and football interest in general rising significantly according to recent reports.”
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