The nes Wednesday of the British Parliament’s decision to slam a wide range of sanctions on Russia for its alleged attempts to snuff the life out of former Russian spy, Sergei Skripal 66 and daughter, Yulia Skripal, 33, through a nerve agent poisoning would ordinarily have been dismissed as another high-profile diplomatic face-off between countries with a long History of espionage-related squabbles normally resolved through diplomatic channels.

But the decision of the revered parliament to insert as one of its conditions a boycott of the Russia 2018 World Cup by the Royal family now not only adds a new dimension to the face-off but throws up far-reaching implications for the integrity of the World Cup especially as it relates to security concerns and image issues.

It is a well-known fact that countries primarily host world football’s biggest showpiece every four years to develop their image, infrastructure, tourism as well as generally showcase to the world their culture and in some cases, its progress in science and technological breakthroughs.

That is why, apart from spending huge sums of money to develop stadia, road networks, training grounds, pitches, hotels and recreational facilities, countries can ill-afford situations that appear to put their hopes and aspirations in jeopardy through negative press.

That is why it bothers a whole of people, particularly the football community who are direct stakeholders of the round leather game that a scenario such as this, where Russia would be suffering trade and economic embargo months to an event as big as the World Cup, is unfolding.

Trouble started when Skripal and his daughter were found slumped in a chair in their home, Sunday, March 4, 2018, after it was discovered they were attacked by a nerve agent, the Russians are widely known to produce.

But after Britain’s request for an explanation from the Russian Government on the issue was ignored, the country’s Prime Minister acting at the behest of the parliament announced sanctions which involved the expulsion of 23 diplomats who were asked to leave the country within seven days, increased checks on private flights, customs and freight, freezing of Russian state assets where there is evidence they may be used to threaten the life and properties of British citizens or residents, Minister and Royal Family to boycott the FIFA World Cup, and suspension of all planned high level bi-lateral contacts between the UK and Russia .

Now, the implications are far-reaching when considered that it would affect Russian interests, especially the football properties owned by Russian citizens in the UK.

For instance, English Premier League, side, Chelsea is owned by the Russian billionaire, Roman Abramovich who since buying over the club in 2004 has spent billions of pounds to make the club one of the most sought after in Europe in the last decade or so.

The English stock exchange is also known to have a large presence of Russian business interests. It is estimated that property and assets worth around 4.4billion are owned by Russians.

Besides, the increased scrutiny of UK-bound flights from Moscow is a recipe for more bad blood as more of the country’s citizens are sure to be exposed to all manner of indignities at either Heathrow or Gatwick, Britains main point of entry.

Although the Russian embassy in London responded, calling the expulsion of the 23 diplomats “unacceptable”, “unjustified”, and “short-sighted”, the world is more concerned about the safety and integrity of the World Cup.

World Soccer ruling body, FIFA is certain to feel concerned by the sudden development as the possibility of either a postponement or a venue shift stares it in the face.

Analysts feel it would take an occurrence of groundbreaking proportion for such extremes to even be considered as former England FA chairman, Greg Dyke says.

“I think it’s highly unlikely that we will boycott the World Cup. I don’t think the government will ask, and I think if they did, the FA would say no, “Dyke said in response to whether England would take the extreme measure of also boycotting the World Cup in solidarity with the Royal Family.

Since inception in 1930, there has not been a situation to warrant a senior World Cup tournament being shifted to another venue at the last minute or a country boycotting it for any reason whatsoever.

Source: http://hotsportstv.com/uk-russia-face-off-threatens-world-cup-2018/

saw the news on aljazeera but wow Russia is really growing wings I must say