By Graham Dunbar
The leader of Russia's 2018 World Cup bid says he will not apologise for his reported comments about London which have prompted rival candidate England to make a formal complaint to FIFA.
Alexey Sorokin said on Tuesday he will instead provide an explanation for his remarks published in a Russian newspaper last week, which were later translated as saying London had a high crime rate and problems with young people drinking alcohol.
"I don't feel that what I said originally requires an apology," he said at the International Football Arena conference. "I am sure there is a record of that which, if forced, I will have to find."
Sorokin also questioned the timing of England's "strange complaint" to FIFA which sought a formal apology.
"I am surprised that it is now, at this time. The world of football has other issues to focus on," he said.
FIFA's ethics committee is investigating two executive committee members, four other officials and at least two bidders for alleged corruption in the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bid contests.
The ethics panel is aiming to complete those investigations before a meeting likely to be held November 17.
FIFA bidding rules also forbid candidates from criticising their rivals. Sorokin, Russia's bid chief executive, said he had a lot of respect for England's campaign. The two are competing with joint bids from Belgium-Netherlands and Spain-Portugal in the 2018 race which is scheduled to be decided in Zurich on December 2.
Sorokin's interview with Sport Express was reported in English as "we do not enter into squabbles although we have much to say. It's no secret, for example, that London has the highest crime rate when compared with other European cities, and the highest level of alcohol consumption among young people."
He explained on Tuesday he had been using a metaphor to explain how media in some countries focused on different problems.
"There are weaknesses which many cities are prone to - Moscow, London, you name it," Sorokin said.
Tensions between the England and Russia camps have deepened in recent weeks as the World Cup vote approaches.
English media reports have alleged that Russian football has problems with racism after fans of Lokomotiv Moscow displayed a banner when Nigerian forward Peter Odemwingie left the club to join Premier League club West Bromwich Albion in August showing a banana and the slogan "Thanks West Brom."
Sorokin said it related to a Russian phrase which translated "getting a banana" to mean failing a test.
A former diplomat who worked from 1995-99 at Russia's embassy in Washington DC, Sorokin defended his London remarks while talking to reporters at the IFA gathering where he presented details of Russia's bid to football and marketing experts at a Zurich hotel close to FIFA headquarters.
England's bid did not take part at the conference where 2022 World Cup bidders Australia and Japan also put their case.
The 2022 contest also involves the United States, South Korea and Qatar.
AP