Russia

  • Mutko drama no problem for World Cup: FIFA The decision by Russia's deputy prime minister, Vitaly Mutko, to step down from his post as head of the country's soccer federation as a temporary measure will have no impact on the 2018 World Cup, FIFA has said.. Dec 26
  • Russia Olympic ban 'no impact' on WC: FIFA Russian World Cup organising chief Vitaly Mutko being banned for life from the Olympic Games has "no impact" on next year's soccer World Cup, FIFA said.. Dec 5
  • Venues 'on track' but some delays: Putin Russian President Vladimir Putin says some construction work on the 2018 World Cup stadiums remains behind schedule but he is satisfied with the overall condition of the venues.. Oct 3
  • Russia coach quits after woeful Euro16 Leonid Slutskiy has stepped down as head coach of the national team, the Russian Football Union said on Thursday. Jun 30
  • Hiddink happy to help Russia for World Cup Former Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink, who led Russia to the 2008 European Championship semi-finals, said he would be happy to return to Moscow as they look to put the misery of an early Euro16 exit behind them and prepare for the 2018 World Cup.. Jun 24
  • Russia fan chief hits out at French The head of Russia's football supporters' association says Russian fans were the victims of "politicised" treatment at Euro 2016 and blamed French authorities for violence.. Jun 23
  • Coach Slutski confirms Russia departure Leonid Slutski said he would not continue as Russia coach after they were eliminated from Euro 2016. Jun 20
  • Russian soccer fan re-arrested in France French police have re-arrested Russian soccer fan leader Alexander Shprygin in the southwestern city of Toulouse on Monday, two days after deporting him in connection with violence that marred the beginning of the Euro 2016 tournament.. Jun 20
  • Russia striker says fans were provoked Russia striker Fyodor Smolov insists that English and Welsh fans were guilty of antagonising their Russian counterparts during scuffles that broke out in Lille earlier in Euro 2016.. Jun 19
  • We didn't sanction fan violence: Kremlin The Kremlin on Sunday rejected a suggestion by senior British government officials it may have deliberately sanctioned violence by Russian soccer hooligans at the Euro 2016 tournament in France as anti-Russian hysteria.. Jun 19
  • Russia coach sure fans will behave Russia coach Leonid Slutsky is backing his team's fans to behave themselves in Wednesday's game against Slovakia and avoid his side being expelled from the European Championship.. Jun 14
  • Russia face Euro16 ejection over fans Russia could be thrown out of soccer's Euro 2016 championship if their fans cause further trouble inside a stadium, with UEFA imposing a suspended disqualification and a 150,000 euro ($A229,000) fine on the Russian Football Union.. Jun 14
  • Putin lets Ukrainian play for Russia President Vladimir Putin has given the green light for defender Roman Neustadter, who was born in Ukraine, to play for Russia at soccer's Euro 2016 by approving his passport.. May 25
  • Russia squad for Portugal, Croatia matches Russia coach Leonid Slutsky has announced a 25-man squad for friendlies against Portugal on November 13 and Croatia four days later. Oct 31
  • Putin marks 1000 days to 2018 World Cup Russia marked 1000 days to go until the 2018 World Cup, but FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke was absent on Friday after being suspended from his duties.. Sep 18
  • Blatter exit no impact on WC18: Russia The intended departure of FIFA president Joseph Blatter will not negatively affect Russia's hosting of the 2018 World Cup, Russia's sports minister says.. Jul 9
  • Russian ramps up pressure on coach Capello Russia's sport minister Vitaly Mutko has further increased the pressure on national football coach Fabio Capello by saying it would be a "disaster" if the side failed to qualify for Euro 2016.. Jun 27
  • Austria defeat damages Russia Euro hopes Russia's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2016 have been dealt a blow with Fabio Capello's side slumping to a 1-0 defeat at home to Austria. Jun 14
  • Blatter hails Russia's work for World Cup FIFA boss Sepp Blatter has hailed Russia's "five star" work to be ready for the 2018 World Cup while President Vladimir Putin vowed his country would not disappoint football fans around the globe.. Apr 20
  • FIFA inspectors back Russia's World Cup FIFA inspectors on Monday expressed satisfaction with the results of their first tour of stadiums that Russia is preparing for the 2018 World Cup. Oct 20