London - Lame duck Fifa president Sepp Blatter made the most of his strong alliance with Russian leader Vladimir Putin at the World Cup qualifying draw in St Petersburg on Saturday.
Blatter met Putin at Peter the Great’s Konstantin summer Palace ahead of the draw and the pair then shared the stage at the ceremony, twice clasping hands in a sign of their firm friendship.
Blatter told his Russian host that Fifa had complete trust in Russia hosting the next tournament despite a Swiss criminal investigation into the staging of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
However, no mention was made in the president’s two brief speeches of the corruption crisis that has engulfed Fifa.
Blatter said: ‘This is an important day in the long and winding road to the World Cup 2018. We are on track, Russia will be a fantastic host. It will be a wonderful moment for Russia and for football.
‘Hundreds of thousands of visiting fans will come to Russia for the first time in their lives and will be met with warmth, friendship and Russian hospitality.’
Blatter was making his first trip abroad since the FBI made their mass arrest of Fifa football officials last May.
He added: ‘We say “yes” to Russia. Our support is especially important during the current geopolitical situation. You make us happy and comfortable.’
Putin said: ‘As promised, we will do all we can for sportsmen and fans alike to feel at home here. It is a chance to show an open, multi-faceted Russia.’
Mail On Sunday