Vladimir Putin's In Your Face Statement

It appears that the timing of the recent U.S. inspired arrests of officials of The Fédération Internationale de Football Association was linked to FIFA elections, which took place just days after the arrests.

Indications are that the U.S. wanted to rattle FIFA enough to cause members to seek a replacement for Joseph Blatter, who was seeking re-election as FIFA president. Blatter is viewed by the Empire as too friendly to Russia. Translation: He is fair when considering , among other things, venues for FIFA events. Russia was chosen, under Blatter stewardship, as the location for the 2018 World Cup. This did not sit well with the Empire.

But the effort by the U.S. to replace Blatter failed. Although the election was much more contentious with the arrests, Blatter was re-elected.

Russian president Vladimir Putin in something of an in your face to the U.S. took notice of the Blatter victory and congratulated him on his re-election to the post.

Putin's message reads, in part:

Over the 17 years that you have stood at the head of FIFA, you have acquired great respect among fans, coaches and players. I am certain that your experience and organisational talent, and your efforts aimed at consistently expanding football’s geography will serve to further develop and increase the popularity of this ‘number one sport’ that unites millions of fans all over the world.

I would like to stress that Russia is ready for further close and constructive cooperation with FIFA, which is especially important ahead of the 2018 World Cup. I am confident that through our joint efforts, we will hold an exceptional championship from an organisational and athletic standpoint.

And that's how you rub it into the Empire.

 -RW