Soccer Extreme : Seven bosses of FIFA pledged to back England's World Cup bid then failed to vote for us, it was revealed yesterday.Nine members told Prince William and David Beckham they would support us – but in the end only two delivered.
FIFA vice president Jack Warner allegedly told William: “You can count on my vote”, just before corruption-riddled Russia was gifted the 2018 World Cup and oil-rich Qatar got 2022.
US delegate Chuck Blazer, Chung Mong Joon of Korea, Senes Irzik of Turkey, Rafael Salguero of Guatemala, Ivory Coast’s Jacques Anouma and Marios Lefkaritis of Cyprus all indicated their support.
Only Cameroon’s Issa Hayatou kept his word. England’s other vote was our own Geoff Thompson’s.
After FIFA President Sepp Blatter glad-handed Russian PM Vladimir Putin, England bosses yesterday accused FIFA of treachery.
England's big-hitters campaignedBid chief Andy Anson claimed there was no point in England bidding again unless the vote system changed. He said: “I won’t beat around the bush. We were lied to.
“We were confident of going through the first round. England, Australia and the USA had the best bids by far. But we got six votes between us.”
Mr Blatter allegedly said delegates should vote for Russia as he warned of the “evil” British media who have twice exposed FIFA corruption.
Mr Anson said: “When you have the best technical bid, fantastic inspection visits, the best economic report, and the best presentation, it’s hard to stomach that all that seemed to count for absolutely nothing.
“Having only 22 guys voting gives them too much influence. Running two bids was a huge mistake.
“Everyone who had a vote and a bid clearly wanted to trade that vote for something that helped them get over the line in that campaign.”
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt questioned FIFA’s methods and called our rejection “a slap in the face”. Premiership bosses expressed astonishment at the decision.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp said it was like promising to vote for a “sexy bird” on the X Factor then backing out. (mirrorfootball)