Russian offers Mercs for Croatia to beat England
20th November, 2007
Spartak Moscow owener Leonid Fedun has said he will donate four Mercedes cars to Croatia’s goalkeeper and three other best players should their team win against England at Wembley. Should Croatia win on Wednesday, the result would put Russia through rather than England. Russia had been in the dominate position before Israel sprung a shock 2-1 defeat to leave England only needing a draw against Croatia to go through to the Euro 2008 finals.
This follows after the owner of British bookie Betfred promised a Mercedes car to the scorer of the winning goal against Russia. Omer Golan, who netted the injury-time winner, has been told by the Israeli FA that he will not be able to accept the gift because it was "beyond the bounds of sportsmanship".
Fedun said he simply wans to boost Croatia’s morale ahead of the game: "I'm doing this strictly as a fan," Fedun was quoted as saying by the Russian media. "If we have even a small chance we must try to use it."
England are 8/15 to win the game with Paddy Power and qualify, whilst Croatia are 7/1 to stop England progressing to the finals, also with Paddy Power.
