US senators demanded to deprive Russia of the right to hold the 2018 world championship

A group of US senators wrote a letter to the President of the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA), Joseph Blatter, demanding that Russia be denied the right to host the 2018 World Cup.

“Holding the World Cup in Russia inappropriately strengthens the prestige of the Putin regime at a time when it must be condemned,” the text of the letter reads.

According to legislators, the World Cup gives additional economic opportunities at a time when a significant part of the international community imposed economic sanctions against Russia. The letter is signed by both Democratic senators and Republicans, including former presidential candidate John McCain. A copy of the letter was sent to the US Football Federation.

In March, 2014, the US senators Mark Kirk and Dan Coates have already appealed to Blatter with the request to suspend Russia's membership in FIFA and to deprive the country of the right to host the World Cup 2018. In FIFA at the request of politicians refused.

The World Cup 2018 will be held from 14 June to 15 July in 11 cities of Russia.