Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday he would not be in Zurich to lobby for Russia to host the 2018 football World Cup, DPA reported.
Putin said he did not want to put pressure on the executive committee of the ruling body FIFA which elects the host nation on Thursday.
Russia is bidding for the 2018 World Cup along with England and joint bids from Spain/Portugal and Netherlands/Belgium.
Putin was expected to speak as part of Russia's final presentation ahead of the vote.
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