Russia mulls budget hike to fund more World Cup security

MOSCOW (AP) Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko says the country may need to increase its security spending for the 2018 World Cup.

Speaking after a meeting with President Vladimir Putin, Mutko said ''there is still a need to examine the issue of implementing the security plan,'' which could increase the 30-billion-ruble ($41 million) security budget, in comments reported by Russian news agencies.

Mutko, who is coordinating Russia's World Cup preparations, did not specify what the extra money would be spent on.

However, he said in November that FIFA had asked Russian organizers to pay more attention to security at fan zones following the Paris terror attacks.

Fan zones are designated areas, typically in city centers, where supporters watch games on a big screen. Security is typically lighter than at stadiums.