Security big on Russia agenda

Moscow, June 12: Despite fears over security and construction delays at several stadiums, Russia looks largely on course one year from the kick-off of the World Cup in June 2018.

Worries of hooligan violence surged after gangs of Russian fans grabbed headlines by rampaging through the streets of Marseille at Euro 2016.

But for strongman President Vladimir Putin the World Cup is an invaluable chance to burnish Russia’s prestige as the country has slumped to its worst standoff with the West over Ukraine and Syria.

And authorities insist they have all problems firmly in hand as they gear up for a test-run with the Confederations Cup tournament starting in second city Saint Petersburg on June 17.

So far only four of the 12 World Cup stadiums Saint Petersburg, Kazan, Sochi and the Otkrytie Arena in Moscow — are up and running for the warmup Confederations Cup.

The finishing touches are also being put to the iconic Luzhniki stadium in Moscow — which is set to hold the World Cup opener and final — with a trial game scheduled for the autumn.

While most of the arenas are running to time, there has also been a spate of scandals over delays, corruption and poor labour conditions.

The stadium in Saint Petersburg ended up taking a decade to build and costing some $800 million (716 million euros), with groundsmen still ending up having to frantically replace the pitch a month before the Confed Cup.

There are major security fears surrounding the World Cup with the shadow of terrorism and hooliganism looming large.