The President was shown the general plan of the academy’s grounds, toured the school building and the gym featuring the Football training complex, and also talked with the students.
The youth academy was set up at FC Krasnodar in 2008 and has since become one of the largest football youth academies in Europe and the world. It has 25 branches, nine of which are located in Krasnodar and 14 in other towns of the region.
Vladimir Putin and FIFA President Gianni Infantino were shown around FC Krasnodar’s new stadium. Construction began in April 2013 and ended in September 2016. The arena has 34,291 seats and a cable-stayed roof that covers all stands. The stands have an infrared heating system that keeps spectators warm in cold weather. The football pitch with a playing area of 105 by 68 metres was built using the full range of modern technologies, like heating/cooling, turf aeration and stadium lights. The stadium has the necessary equipment to be used as a venue for UEFA and FIFA tournaments.
While touring the stadium, President Vladimir Putin and FIFA President Gianni Infantino talked to representatives of leading Russian volunteer associations. Vladimir Putin noted that the volunteer movement in Russia is expanding. There will be 5,800 volunteers at the Confederations Cup taking place between June 17 and July 2, and 20,000 volunteers at the 2018 World Cup. A record number of applications in the entire history of the championships were received – some 177,000 from 190 countries.