President Vladimir Putin called for reforms to Russian football at Tuesday's meeting of the president's council for sports and the 2018 World Cup organising committee.

Putin criticised the existing system of football administration and called on the national squad to represent the country at the 2018 World Cup with dignity.

"Of course we should perform with dignity in 2018," the R-Sport agency quoted the president as saying.

"People in Russia love football. Young and old all play the game.

"Of course Russian football is not without the government's attention and the private investors' support.

"That means that the problems are in the game's system of administration, the system of selection of young players, the methods and forms of interaction with coaches and players."

The president also offered to prepare a nation-wide development strategy through to 2030.

"It's obvious that a clear-cut programme of actions is needed," Putin said.

"In this connection I propose to work out the nation-wide strategy until 2030."

The president called for radical changes in the system of financing the country's football clubs.

"It's a pity but sometimes the contest between football clubs looks like the battle of cash-boxes," Putin said.

"Many of the clubs get funding from the regional budgets. They waste the money assigned for sports development in the country's regions.

"Meanwhile, around the world football clubs make a lot of money by selling the broadcasting rights, advertising, the club symbols and other things.

"I ask the sports ministry to work out their concrete proposals for the creation of an adequate system of financial activities for the country's professional clubs."
Source: AFP