Minister of Youth and Sports urged Ukrainian fans not to go to the 2018 World Cup in Russia
During a broadcast of Pryamiy TV, Minister of Youth and Sports of Ukraine Ihor Zhdanov urged soccer fans not to go to the 2018 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the summer in Russia. He stated this on Prymiy TV, RBC-Ukraine reports.
"I saw how the world community was close to [boycotting the championship] two years ago when trials began against the former leadership of FIFA: changes, accusations of corruption," Zhdanov said. Now, according to the minister, the "campaign" for boycotting the soccer competitions has slowed down. "Though from the point of view of our national interests, we did everything to prevent this championship from taking place in Russia," he continued.
According to the head of the ministry, Ukrainian fans and military servicemen should not go to Russia, and the authorities intend to issue a warning in a joint statement with the country's Foreign Ministry and the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).
On January 22, Foreign Minister Klimkin said that Ukraine is holding talks with soccer federations and fan organizations about the possibility of holding protests during the World Cup in Russia. Later, the Football Federation of Ukraine rejected the quota for tickets and journalist accreditations for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.