Football
ESPN staff 8y

Russia to invite Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini to World Cup - Vitaly Mutko

Suspended FIFA president Sepp Blatter and UEFA chief Michel Platini will both be invited to the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the nation's sports minister says.

Blatter and Platini have both been banned from all football activities for eight years following an investigation into a £1.3 million payment from 2011.

But Russian minister Vitaly Mutko says they will be welcome to attend the sport's biggest event in two years' time.

"Formally, the suspension prohibits them from any position in football," Mutko told R-Sport, according to Reuters.

"But on the other hand, how is it 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."

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