Vitaly Mutko, the president of the Russian Football Union, will hold talks with Fifa over the sale of media rights for the 2018 World Cup in the country after the proposed fee rocketed, according to the Tass news agency.
The rights also include the 2017 Confederations Cup, which will also be staged in Russia, as well as other Fifa events.
Mutko (pictured), who is also Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister, said that “initially the price was set at $32m (€30m)”… but “the current one stands at $100m” for the rights, which have not been awarded in the country yet.
Mutko said that Russian officials would hold more discussions with Fifa at the Confederations Cup draw ceremony in Kazan this Saturday.
“In our opinion the price is overcharged,” Mutko said.
“(There is) some hope for government funding, but it is to be a free market economy affair. We are to seek a compromise.”