The head of the body responsible for World Cup stadium inspections has told ESPN FC that FIFA is bowing to Russian political pressure and afraid to confront construction companies over implementing better working conditions.
Ambet Yuson, the general secretary of Building and Woodworkers International, the global trade union for construction workers, told ESPN FC that "the political climate and sensibilities in Russia" meant "FIFA is unwilling to take on the stadium construction companies and tell them what to do.
He said: "The World Cup stadium inspection system is failing because our recommendations are being ignored.
"The Russian construction companies are not listening to us, and neither FIFA nor the Russian World Cup organising committee do anything about it.