Volleyball
Russia was robbed and accused of disrupting the World Cup. The insolent will have to answer in court
Photo: © Xinhua / Li He / Global Look Press
International officials seem to be going crazy.
The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) shows itself from the most negative side. Last year, she took away the right to host the World Cup from Russia, without any reason.
And now she also spits on the laws when they try to call her to account.
Insolent to the edge
Having lost the opportunity to organize the World Cup, the All-Russian Volleyball Federation (VVF) in November 2022 turned to the FIVB and demanded that all expenses for the tournament be reimbursed. And they, it should be noted, are solid – according to preliminary data, the amount is up to 80 million dollars! This included the application fee, preparation costs and a fine for breaking agreements.
However, the FIVB did not want to pay voluntarily. There was an option in which the withdrawal of the World Cup would be issued as a force majeure – in this case, Russia would receive half of the entry fee (about $ 20 million). But the international officials became so insolent that they refused to pay this money.
After that, the VFV appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The lawsuit indicated the initial amount of expenses, but taking into account changes in the exchange rate, this decreased to 76 million.
Empty accusations
There might not have been a legal dispute if the international federation had immediately satisfied all the demands of Russia. But this did not happen. Moreover, now our functionaries are being accused in response! Isn’t that arrogance?
“The FIVB considers our side to be guilty of the cancellation of the World Cup and does not consider this a force majeure,” said the Secretary General of the VFV Alexander Yaremenko, whose words are quoted by Match TV.
True, our side has seriously taken up the matter and does not intend to slow it down. The best lawyers are involved in the process. Now there is a choice of arbitrators who will consider the arguments of both parties.
“This is not a promotion”
In fact, international officials shot themselves in the foot with the decision to cancel the World Cup in Russia. Courts and debates are only a small part. Suffice it to recall how the tournament ended.
The FIVB urgently moved the championship to Slovenia and Poland, and they failed miserably to organize it. Empty stands at top matches are the main association with the tournament. Only 800 people came to the opening match of the French team – by the way, the current Olympic champion. And some games hardly gained 100-200 spectators.
Even the new hosts of the World Cup admitted that this situation is no good.
– The meeting Cuba – Brazil, which was very interesting, was watched by several hundred people. This is not a promotion of volleyball,” said the president of the Polish Volleyball Federation, Sebastian Swiderski.
Dullness instead of a holiday
Russia, in turn, was systematically preparing to host the tournament. Ten cities were supposed to turn into volleyball centers for a while, and work in them was in full swing every day. Add to this a powerful PR campaign and the ability to organize high-quality competitions and we will end up with perhaps the best tournament in history. The World Cup, the Sochi Olympics and two Universiades (in Kazan and Krasnoyarsk) will not let you lie.
Instead, it turned out dullness and despondency. But the FIVB put all the blame on Russia. Maybe it’s still worth admitting your mistakes and stop being impudent out of the blue?
Source: Sportbox
Alberta Robinson is a sports journalist and author, who is currently associated with the publication Sportish, where she writes about sports related news and events. With a passion for sports and a keen eye for detail, Robinson brings in-depth analysis and insightful commentary to her writing.