FIFA rejects calls to strip Russia of 2018 World Cup

FIFA said it is not considering moving the 2018 World Cup from Russia, despite calls to move the tournament after the country's alleged involvement in shooting down a Malaysia Airlines plane over Ukraine last week.

FIFA said it is not considering moving the 2018 World Cup from Russia, despite calls to move the tournament after the country's alleged involvement in shooting down a Malaysia Airlines plane over Ukraine last week, reports the Associated Press.

Soccer's governing body says the tournament "can achieve positive change," after several German lawmakers wanted FIFA to review the suitability of Russia hosting the World Cup.

On July 17, 298 people were killed when Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down.

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FIFA is currently investigating if winning bids for the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 tournament in Qatar were ensured via bribery. The report should be delivered in September and will not be made public.

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FIFA says it supports "any peaceful and democratic debate" and "deplores any form of violence." The governing body also says "boycotting sport events or a policy of isolation or confrontation" doesn't work.

- Scooby Axson