Germany Questions Appropriateness of Russia's Hosting FIFA World Cup

World | July 23, 2014, Wednesday // 13:07
Bulgaria: Germany Questions Appropriateness of Russia's Hosting FIFA World Cup Photo: EPA/BGNES

After flight MH17 crash, German politicians question Russia's role as host of the FIFA World Cup in 2018, report German-language media. 

Despite the ongoing debate concerning sanctions against Russia, Europe and the US are unanimous that Russia is to blame for the Malaysia Airlines crash over eastern Ukraine, which killed all 298 passengers. 

As a consequence, German politicians are discussing if Russia's role as host of the FIFA World Cup in 2018 should be taken away and given to another country. 

"A change in the host could have a much greater impact than the imposing of economic sanctions," said Michael Fuchs, deputy chairman of the CDU. "Russia's borders are too porous to allow the country's imports to be stopped, that is why the control of possible economic sanctions is difficult. Furthermore, FIFA should think twice if Russia is a suitable partner, since it can't even guarantee safe air routes." 

"If Russia's president Putin doesn't actively cooperate to resolve the case of flight MH17's crash, a World Cup in Russia is unthinkable", "The World Cup will offer Putin a stage for his propaganda show" are among comments that German politicians made, quoted by Der Spiegel. 

Against the measure of taking away the role of Russia as the host of 2018's World Cup is the leader of Germany's social party (SPD) Sigmar Gabriel: "To have a debate about the World Cup four years in advance is not very clever", said Germany's Economy Minister. 

According to a German survey, the majority of Germans support sanctions against Russia. Fifty-three percent support the blocking of Russian bank accounts in the West and 30% are against the measure. 

A military operation and a breaking of diplomatic relations with Russia, though, was rejected categorically by the majority.

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Tags: Malaysia Airlines, MH17, FIFA World Cup, 2018, Russia, hosting

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