The Russian Football Union (RFU) and the German Football Association (DFB) signed a memorandum on cooperation, according to reports.

The President of both associations Vitaly Mutko and Reinhard Grindel respectively were in unison as they signed the document at the office of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of Russia 2018 World Cup campaign.

They agreedon a number of issues, with a friendly game between both sides ticked off. They had agreed initially in 2012 but they have now included more points as they seek broader cooperation between both bodies.

However, Mutko asked that fans not expect the game anytime soon. He said: “Friendly matches should be discussed separately. [The German team] have a very tight schedule. There are no exact dates yet.

“The memorandum, however, stipulates not only a friendly match between the Russian and German teams, but a possible friendly game between the two national youth teams.”

Last year, Mutko and his team signed something similar with the Italian Football Federation as they seek to relate well with the biggest nations in Europe.

Footballing nations are still sceptical about playing Russia I Love Liverpoolor in Russia as reports of hooliganism and football-related violence continue. Recently, at the Russian Cup final between Lokomotiv Moscow and FC Ural Yetaterinburg, there was chaos that saw four players sent off by the referee.

Lokomotiv eventually won the game for the second time in three years but not without the brawl almost marring the game as the opposing sides fought. Coincidentally, the Sochi stadium which is set to be used for the World Cup next year was the venue for the game. The event next year is sure one to watch out for with all the negative news it is mired in.