Opinions

Russia - A ticking timebomb?

by Judith Randall

Russia 2018: Will they be rolling out the red carpet for football supporters during the world cup? I find myself wondering how Russia will 'sell' itself?

It's hard to see how Russia in the 21st century is going to present itself, sometimes it seems its barely moved forward since the secrecy of the cold war.

Even this week there is, yet again, media gossip surrounding the Russian assistant of a government minister who 'might' be a spy. Oh yes, and what ever happened about Mr Alexander Litvinenko, who's death was linked to the presence of a "major dose" of radioactive polonium-210 in his body?

If the voting fiasco wasn't bad enough, the game of football in Russia is more red card than red carpet when it comes to race.

Rumour has it that there have been serious racist issues with threats being made against black players on the pitch and foreigners in the streets.

I wonder how safe people are going to feel and how the Russian government are going to reassure the rest of the world that they are going to be welcome let alone safe.

The World Cup is supposed to bring people from different countries and different cultures together, and FIFA will have to work hard to make sure this can happen in Russia.

I for one will be watching with great interest to see how this famous event is going to be played, Russian style.