Mutko – President again – BBC

An extraordinary conference of the Russian Football Union Vitaly Mutko confirmed as president of the organization. Minister of Sports was the only candidate in the elections and will now combine high positions.

«This is the most bizarre election in your life? One candidate “- was asked before the conference the president of the Russian Football Premier League Sergei Pryadkin.

«Why strange? Today I just went and read the different comments. But it happens in some countries and some federations that nominated candidate. So it was in FIFA Blatter – not in the last election, and before that. That’s life, “- said the functionary.

There were also comments State Duma deputy from the LDPR faction Igor Lebedev, who initially put forward, and his candidacy, but later took it off, but still arrived at the conference:

«Today Mutko – the most suitable candidate for the leadership of the RFU. When I was nominated, Mutko has not yet been announced on participation, so has the need to fight. The fact that he was the only candidate, that’s fine.

Responsibility, which now goes to the president of the RFU, few can take on their shoulders. I must say thanks to Mutko, that he did it go ».

Lebedev himself arrived in the RFU building an ulterior motive: he was elected as a candidate for the executive committee of the RFU.

«We need the powers of the vice-speaker of the State Duma! Regionals today difficult. Knocking his forehead – and can not get in the door, that it is necessary, we do not hear. And he will do it “- called to support the candidacy of Vladimir Zhirinovsky’s son, President of the Football Federation of Smolensk Alexander Lysenko.

The conference was opened by the Acting President of Russian Football Union Nikita Simonyan, podvedshy brief summary of life of Russian football in the last couple of months and has handed credentials.

As the main item on the agenda was the election of the president of the RFU, followed on the rostrum Mutko to familiarize the audience with their vision and program.

«For me, it was a difficult decision, because the Minister are huge tasks for the development of sport, ahead of many challenges, but, based on the situation in Russian football in recent years, and the place it occupies, as well as the need the successful performance of the national team at the World Cup home, I made the decision. There were other candidates, I am with all points of view have read many promises will be taken into account. Football – it is really the number one sport, more than a game – began the minister.

– until 2018 the attention of society, politicians, the president of football is enormous. You must use the chance to unleash the power of football to make it more popular. This is a major strategic objective. ”

Next Mutko went on to give specific issues:

«But this problem can not be solved without solving the problems.

First of all – issues of good governance in football. It is necessary to precisely Conference took major strategic decisions, instead of sitting and watched the murder organization.

People who love themselves in football, not soccer a decades parasites and engaged in their own issues. We have to show where the center of football. ”

Of course, not a functionary could not touch upon the deplorable financial condition of the Russian Football Union.

«I do not want to dramatize the economic situation. But we are almost certain are on the verge of bankruptcy, I would say. It is necessary to attract sponsors, the organization costs, the reversal of resources for those tasks which should solve the RFU. When, for example, do not pay salaries for months judiciary – how can they work? Neither Sponsor will not go into the organization, as long as it would not be right to work – said Mutko.

– no administrative resource, the invitation will not be appointed by the sponsor. I am a supporter of market sponsors are there. What good is when the sponsor of the championship was “Rosgosstrakh”, and we replaced it with the administrative organization of the state to the other? Now we have to try to persuade “Rosgosstrakh” to return. He wanted to – it was removed, the other did not want to – they made. ”

In addition, Mutko said that the Russian team now change the direction of development and the RFU will make every effort to opponents of the national team for a friendly match were the leading teams of the world.

Do not forget the minister and a mini-football, women’s football and football for people with disabilities, who are also under the jurisdiction of the RFU. According to Mutko, all of these areas will support the organization.

«I am not a revolutionary, not going tomorrow to return football to other rails – at least until 2018. But you have to think about the format of the competition and the economy, about the fans, because we have a rest in the summer, and in winter – to play football. We lose fans. Nobody is going to take revolutionary decisions. I can assure you that we will do everything to give more autonomy leagues “- he was deeply moved at the end of his speech the Minister.

In order to be approved as president Mutko required two-thirds vote. That is for him in the open voting cards were to raise the 262 delegates from 393 gathered in the hall.

The victory, former, and now the current president of the RFU scored within 15 seconds, for which billowed up hands with cards of all 393 members vote.

Thus, Vitaly Mutko received powers of the president of the RFU for a year, after which the next elections will be held, which will be elected head of the organization has a 4-year term.

Following the delegates elected a new member of the executive committee of the RFU, and among the seven candidates the most support was just Igor Lebedev, for whom it was given to 185 of 364 votes.

The closest to him slumped president of the Children’s Football League Victor Gorlov, supported by 72 people. Smallest result showed Anzor Kavazashvili, attended by only four votes in his support.

However, the necessary two-thirds majority Lebedev failed to collect, and because the second round, in which the deputy again gleaning the necessary number of votes to win: for Lebedev in the second round voted the delegate instead of the required 244 262.

On the complexity of the ballot immediately reacted with newfound President:

«hold up to in the morning? Or right without a penis? Let this: if not elected in the third round – stop.

Let’s change the rules, and then turned the election is not clear what. I watched the previous elections. In all the countries in the second round the winner is determined by a simple majority.

And that turned into a celebration for all those who like to vote. ”

In the third round Lebedev received the necessary 267 votes, immediately declared his readiness to start work right now, and that the executive committee ended.

To get to other materials, news and statistics you to page of the World Cup – 2018.

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