Tight security for Russian showpiece
HOSTS KICK OFF AGAINST NEW ZEALAND Deputy PM insists violence and racism will not mar event.
The Confederations Cup kicks off today when Russia play New Zealand in St Petersburg, with the hosts promising there will be no repeat of the violence which marred Euro 2016.
A year before Russia holds the World Cup, the behaviour of fans and concerns over racism are topics the host nation hopes will not be a factor.
The eight-team tournament is effectively a scaled-down warmup for the 2018 World Cup finals.
“Russia is a completely safe country and I am sure our fans will behave,” Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko said.
“All of us, as well as those visiting, must respect the culture and traditions of Russia. Our country is safe and open,” added Mutko, who is also the president of the Russian Football Union.
By far the biggest name here will be global superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who will captain Euro 2016 winners Portugal.
World champions Germany, Ronaldo’s Portugal and south American champions Chile are among the favourites to win the final in St Petersburg on July 2.
Hosts Russia are in Group A with Portugal, Mexico, the 2015 Concacaf Gold Cup winners, and New Zealand, the 2016 Oceania champions.
Germany face Copa America kingpins Chile, 2015 Asian Cup champions Australia, and this year’s Africa Cup of Nations winners Cameroon in Group B.
Only three of the German squad, which has a combined total of 104 international appearances, formed part of the 2014 World Cup-winning group.
After the Manchester bomb attack last month, security is set to be tight at all four venues in Moscow, Sochi, St Petersburg and Kazan.
The Russians are aiming to avoid a recurrence of the violence at Euro 2016 when Russian and English fans clashed in Marseille before and during their teams’ group stage match. Thirty-five people were injured, the majority England fans, as a result of the trouble.
There are also fears over racist behaviour in the stands, a concern highlighted during a carnival in Sochi last month.
Over the past five years, there have been numerous incidents of racism during matches in Russia.
During a 2015 interview, Brazilian star Hulk, who played for Zenit St Petersburg from 20122016, said he encountered racism in “almost every game” he played.
“If racism happens in the World Cup, it will be really gross and really ugly,” he added. – AFP
Group A
Russia (World Cup hosts) New Zealand (Nations Cup champions) Portugal (European champions) Mexico (Concacaf champions)
Group B
Cameroon (African champions) Chile (Copa champions) Australia (Asia champions) Germany (World champions)