Brazil’s Hulk engages the crowd for support during their 2014 World Cup round of 16 game against Chile at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte June 28, 2014.
Russia, hosts for the 2018 World Cup, have repeatedly been criticised for failure to tackle racism in domestic soccer. The European draw is scheduled to take place after Africa so should begin relatively soon after proceedings get underway.
Brazilian star Hulk has pulled out of Saturday’s World Cup draw just two days after agreeing to take part and less than a week after claiming he encountered racism in “almost every game” in Russian Federation.