When it was announced that Russia would play host to the 2018 Men's World Cup, controversy followed and it continues today.
A lot of the controversy stems from the downing of a Malaysian air plane being shot down over the Ukraine by Russia. Plus, the ongoing conflict of between Russia and the Ukraine that continues today. But according to FIFA president Sepp Blatter, if critics are still upset that the games will be held there in three years, they can stay home.
"If a few politicians are not particularly happy that we are hosting the World Cup in Russia, then I always tell them: 'Well then, stay at home'," Blatter told reporters at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that was picked up by Yahoo sports.
Deputy British Prime Minister Nick Clegg was one of those politicians calling for a boycott of the World Cup if conditions in Russia did not improve.
Clegg said this last year about Russia hosting the World Cup in an article in The Guardian:
"Vladimir Putin himself has to understand that he can't have his cake and eat it," he said.
"He can't constantly, you know, push the patience of the international community beyond breaking point, destabilise a neighbouring country, protect these armed separatists in the east of Ukraine and still have the privilege and honour of receiving all the accolades in 2018 for being the host nation of the World Cup.
"That's why I've come to the view that if he doesn't change course it's just not on, the idea that Russia will host the World Cup in 2018.
"You can't have this – the beautiful game marred by the ugly aggression of Russia on the Russian-Ukrainian border.
"Not only would Vladimir Putin exploit it, I think it would make the rest of the world look so weak and so insincere about our protestations about Vladimir Putin's behaviour if we're not prepared to pull the plug."
Officials from the US also asked Blatter to strip Russia of its hosting duties.
But Blatter seems to be genuinely pleased with the Russian's progress and didn't mention any plans to pull the plug on the event even as the controversy surrounding the host country in 2018 continues.
