Vitaly Mutko

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Vitaly Mutko
Виталий Мутко
Vitaly Mutko 01.png
Minister of Sport
Assumed office
21 May 2012
Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev
Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth policy
In office
12 May 2008 – 21 May 2012
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin
Personal details
Born Vitaly Leontiyevich Mutko
(1958-12-08) 8 December 1958 (age 65)
Krasnodar Krai,
Soviet Union, now Russia
Political party United Russia
Alma mater Saint Petersburg State University
Signature

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Vitaly Leontiyevich Mutko (Russian: Виталий Леонтьевич Мутко; born December 8, 1958 in Krasnodar Krai) is a Russian politician. Since May 2008, he has been Minister of Sport, Tourism and Youth policy.[1]

Mutko was previously president of the Russian side FC Zenit Saint Petersburg, and then of the Russian Football Union.

World Cup bid

Mutko was the chairman for Russia's successful bid to host the World Cup in 2018. He has, however, been criticised for his comments about the rival English bid, such as by suggesting that English football is corrupt. By way of explanation, he said: "What I meant was that sometimes the English media say there is corruption in Russia, but I meant that if you dig deeply you find corruption in any country".[2]

Corruption allegations

Mutko accompanied the Russian team to the Winter Olympics in Vancouver in 2010. Afterwards, a report by the Russian parliament's Audit Chamber[3] criticised him for claiming for a total of 97 breakfasts during the team's twenty-day stay in Canada,[4][5] costing a total of $4,500.[6] Each night in his hotel was charged at $1,499.[4] In total, Mutko is said to have spent twelve times his official limit.[3] Mutko told Vedomosti newspaper: "Why do those who want to accuse me of something not interest themselves in how much the French sports minister paid for accommodation?"[3]

On 9 November 2015, a report by an independent commission of the World Anti-Doping Agency accused Mutko of likely complicity in a wide-ranging, state-sponsored doping scheme within Russian track and field. Dick Pound, the head of the commission, said, "It was impossible for him [Mutko] not to be aware of it. And if he’s aware of it, he’s complicit in it." It was further alleged that Mutko's agency had undue influence over RUSADA, the Russian anti-doping agency that should operate independently from influence of government or athletes.[7]

Public positions

  • 2009 – Member of the FIFA Council[8]
  • Vice-President of the Football Federation of St Petersburg[9]
  • Founder and President of the Public Charity Foundation for Support and Development of Football in St Petersburg “Golden Pelican”[10]
  • President of the Special Olympic Committee of St Petersburg, conducting competitions for athletes with disabilities and developing rehabilitation programs for people with intellectual disabilities[11]
  • 2005–2009 – President of the Football Union of Russia
  • 2001–2003 – President of the Russian Football Premier League
  • 2015– President of the Football Union of Russia

Honours and awards

References

  1. Russian Government
  2. Russian 2018 bid leader claims there is corruption in England, insideworldfootball.biz
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Vancouver Olympics spending scandal: How much does a Russian breakfast cost?, csmonitor.com
  4. 4.0 4.1 Russia rests 2018 World Cup bid on belief that big and bold is best, Guardian
  5. Russia's Olympic spend-a-thon: By the numbers, theweek.com
  6. Auditor: Sports Minister Spent $4,500 on Vancouver Breakfasts, Moscow Times
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External links