Post by Macmoish on Dec 6, 2010 7:38:02 GMT
Because if he doesn't... 
Telegraph/Thom Gibbs
Vladimir Putin calls on Chelsea's Roman Abramovich to help finance 2018 World Cup in Russia
Roman Abramovich will be expected to invest heavily in the 2018 World Cup, after the Russian Prime Minister called on him to "open his wallet".
"I don't rule out that Mr Abramovich may take part in one of these projects," Putin said in televised comments, referring to the £2.4 billion Russia need to spend on building 13 new stadiums and renovating three existing ones. "Let him open his wallet a little. It's no big deal - he won't feel the pinch. He has plenty of money."
The usually reclusive Abramovich was part of the Russia delegation to Zurich this week, where they were awarded the right to host the 2018 World Cup ahead of England. As well as the cost of preparing stadiums for the tournament Russia needs to spend around £7bn in updating tourist infrastructure.
Abramovich, whose personal fortune is around £7bn, already bankrolls the Russian national team, but is expected to invest further millions for the World Cup. His spokesman indicated that he would be willing to contribute, but that his money would only be pledged "in partnership with the state":
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Other oligarchs are expected to be asked to contribute funds to Russia's World Cup effort, with Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov another likely target for Putin.
Abramovich has a history of pledging his own money to Russian causes. He invested millions in the region of Chutoka as governor, his company has sponsored CSKA Moscow, and in 2004 he founded a national football academy which has built artificial pitches for schools across the country.
www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/8182241/Vladimir-Putin-calls-on-Chelseas-Roman-Abramovich-to-help-finance-2018-World-Cup-in-Russia.html
Telegraph/Thom Gibbs
Vladimir Putin calls on Chelsea's Roman Abramovich to help finance 2018 World Cup in Russia
Roman Abramovich will be expected to invest heavily in the 2018 World Cup, after the Russian Prime Minister called on him to "open his wallet".
"I don't rule out that Mr Abramovich may take part in one of these projects," Putin said in televised comments, referring to the £2.4 billion Russia need to spend on building 13 new stadiums and renovating three existing ones. "Let him open his wallet a little. It's no big deal - he won't feel the pinch. He has plenty of money."
The usually reclusive Abramovich was part of the Russia delegation to Zurich this week, where they were awarded the right to host the 2018 World Cup ahead of England. As well as the cost of preparing stadiums for the tournament Russia needs to spend around £7bn in updating tourist infrastructure.
Abramovich, whose personal fortune is around £7bn, already bankrolls the Russian national team, but is expected to invest further millions for the World Cup. His spokesman indicated that he would be willing to contribute, but that his money would only be pledged "in partnership with the state":
Related Articles
Other oligarchs are expected to be asked to contribute funds to Russia's World Cup effort, with Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov another likely target for Putin.
Abramovich has a history of pledging his own money to Russian causes. He invested millions in the region of Chutoka as governor, his company has sponsored CSKA Moscow, and in 2004 he founded a national football academy which has built artificial pitches for schools across the country.
www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/8182241/Vladimir-Putin-calls-on-Chelseas-Roman-Abramovich-to-help-finance-2018-World-Cup-in-Russia.html