The Russian Football Union has renewed its partnership with the country’s leading independent natural gas producer Novatek.
Novatek has agreed a new three-year deal to become a general partner of the national team until 2018, when Russia is due to host the Fifa World Cup.
The company will cooperate with the RFU to help develop Russia’s professional, female, mini-soccer, beach, veteran and youth football programmes.
“The money will go to support the Russian national team and will help to remove all the problems in preparing for the home World Cup,” RFU president, Vitaly Mutko, said. “We, in turn, will be completely transparent to account for every penny.”
Novatek initially signed a one-year sponsorship deal with the RFU in October 2013.
Discussing the value of the new deal, Novatek chairman Leonid Mikhelson told a press conference: “The specific amount will be determined by additional agreements that will be signed annually.
“Our agreement will lead to the end of tough times for Russian football. It is important that the World Cup in 2018 will be held in Russia, we will render maximum assistance in preparing the team for this tournament.”