A football festival will not be marred after Russia has failed to head through into semifinals, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko, the Russia 2018 organizing committee’s chairman, said, TASS reports.
"It should not cast a shadow on the festivities. It is football and someone has to lose. Look what sort of cheering other teams receive, for instance the fantastic Portugal or Team Mexico with its stars. There is a collection of teams for every taste, like Chile or Germany. We are hosting a great football festival and we will carry on with the world-class event," he said.
"Russian football is looking forward to loads of milestone events. In July, UEFA Women's EURO 2017 kicks off. Plus, we have begun to develop lots of things in a new way, in particular youth football," he added.
