Vladimir Putin has dismissed questions over Russia's right to host the 2018 World Cup, claiming the country "fought in an honest manner".

Following a wide-reaching corruption scandal that rocked Fifa and prompted the resignation of president Sepp Blatter, it has been suggested that the tournament could be stripped from Russia and Qatar if the bidding process is found to be have been compromised.

The head of Fifa's auditing and compliance committee, Domenico Scala, last month warned that this is a possibility.

Contenders to replace Sepp Blatter as Fifa president Show all 6 1 /6 Contenders to replace Sepp Blatter as Fifa president Contenders to replace Sepp Blatter as Fifa president Michel Platini Current president of Uefa. Voted for the Qatar World Cup, which makes position somewhat difficult. Asked Blatter to resign before elections. Getty Images Contenders to replace Sepp Blatter as Fifa president Prince Ali Al-Hussein The Jordanian was the only contender against Blatter when the elections took place. Managed to pick up 73 votes from the Fifa executive committee to Blatter's 133. Has already confirmed he will stand again. PA Contenders to replace Sepp Blatter as Fifa president David Gill The former Manchester United chief executive refused to take up his place on the Uefa executive committee after Blatter's re-election. 'My professional reputation is critical to me and I simply do not see how there will be change for the good of world football while Mr Blatter remains in post,' he said at the time. Reuters Contenders to replace Sepp Blatter as Fifa president Luis Figo Former Real Madrid and Barcelona player announced himself as a candidate for the most recent election but pulled out in protest at how it was being run, saying the process was 'anything but an election'. AFP/Getty Images Contenders to replace Sepp Blatter as Fifa president Jerome Champagne Also announced himself as president contender but failed to gain the minimum five nominations required. The Frenchman is a former Fifa deputy general secretary and has been a fierce critic of Uefa. GETTY IMAGES Contenders to replace Sepp Blatter as Fifa president Michael van Praag Dutch FA president was also a contender for president before pulling out in order not to split support between himself and Price Ali. GETTY IMAGES

Speaking at an investment forum in St Petersburg, Putin insisted that Russia played by the rules.

"We fought in an honest manner and we won," he said. "We do not think the decision should be question. We were ready and that's what convinced Fifa."

An internal corruption investigation last year - published only in part, and disputed by author Michael Garcia - was not provided adequate documentation by the Russian bid to make a fair appraisal.

Garcia was banned from entering the country by the Russian government, and the bid committee claimed it had used leased computers that were returned and then destroyed.

The Russian government is deeply suspicious of the reasons for the recent Fifa corruption crisis, with the foreign ministry accusing Washington of "trying to administer justice far beyond its borders".