Russia To Invite Sepp Blatter And Michel Platini To 2018 World Cup

Russian sport minister Vitaly Mutko said World football president Sepp Blatter and his UEFA counterpart Michel Platini, will be invited to the 2018 World Cup in Russia despite their bans.

Blatter and Platini, were banned by governing body FIFA for eight years in December as the bans came over a spate of corruption scandals on their watch that, among other things, raised questions about Russia's right to host the tournament.

Mutko told Russia's R-Sport news agency that Blatter and Platini were appealing against their bans and still permitted to attend soccer events. Mutko was quoted as saying “Formally, the suspension prohibits them from any position in football. But on the other hand, how is that an outstanding player like Michel Platini can't go to the football? We will invite them, I see no problems with the events we are hosting”.