http://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-f...story.html
Quote:Russian President Vladimir Putin reacted Thursday with trademark indifference to the bribery scandal plaguing the world soccer federation FIFA, denying any wrongdoing by Russia and accusing the United States of trying to wreck his country's hosting of the 2018 World Cup.
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In televised comments from the Kremlin, Putin called it "odd" that U.S. prosecutors had brought charges of corruption and bribery against 14 soccer officials for alleged crimes, including accepting $150 million in bribes, that occurred outside the United States and involved mostly foreign citizens.
A separate investigation launched by Swiss authorities is aimed at determining whether inappropriate influence was exercised in FIFA's decisions to award the next World Cup to Russia and the 2022 tournament to the Persian Gulf state of Qatar.
Russia "has nothing to do with it," Putin said of the scandal and allegations that Moscow secured the coveted hosting rights through some form of subterfuge.