Abramovich ready to take up role with Russian Football Union

March 26 – Chelsea’s billionaire owner Roman Abramovich has revealed that is prepared to serve on the Russian Football Union’s (RFU) advisory board if he receives a formal invitation, which could see him playing a leading role in the country’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup, his spokesman said today.

New RFU President Sergei Fursenko recently met Abramovich in London to discuss, among other things, a more active role within the sport in Russia.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has targetted hosting the 2018 World Cup as a way of fast-tracking the sport’s development in Russia and Abramovich’s involvement could prove influential.

He is prepared to help even though it would put him in direct conflict with the bid from England, who are considered to be Russia’s biggest rivals.

“We are aware of the proposal and when the formal invitation is extended Mr Abramovich will surely consider it,” John Mann told Reuters.

Chelsea’s billionaire owner has played a significant role in Russian football, mainly sponsoring a number of RFU’s projects.

Until last year, the National Academy Fund (NAF), sponsored by Abramovich, was paying the €7 million (£6.3 million/$9.3 million)) salary of former Russia coach Guus Hiddink under an agreement with then-RFU President Vitaly Mutko.

Sergei Kapkov, a close ally of Abramovich’s who heads the NAF, had originally been the favourite to replace Mutko before pulling out of the race.

Several other Russian tycoons, including Spartak Moscow owner Leonid Fedun and Alisher Usmanov, who has a 26 percent stake in Premier League club Arsenal, have also been mentioned as possible RFU’s advisory board members.