David Cameron believes the result of the 2018 World Cup bidding process was “sorted” in advance, with England’s bid team misled by FIFA executives who pledged support, then voted for rivals.
Cameron, whose comments coincide with FIFA executives meeting in Zurich to discuss the much-criticised process, told the Sun he had been left frustrated by the experience in 2010, which he had previously described as “murky”.
Challenged by the paper’s guest editor, James Corden, to “put your balls out there and say it was corrupt”, Cameron replied: “I would be very careful what I say … It was a mad 24 hours of intensive lobbying which David Beckham and Prince William and I were doing together. We thought we were making progress. I think the whole thing was … You choose your words carefully. I would say ‘sorted’ before we went into it. All I can tell you is there are a lot of people who promised they were going to vote for me. And in the end, I think we got one vote.”
Cameron’s remarks add to the pressure on FIFA to make serious headway with its investigation into the process which resulted in the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments to Russia and Qatar respectively. FIFA confirmed on Thursday night that executives attending this week’s committee meeting would be interviewed by its ethics investigator, Michael Garcia, as part of his inquiry into the claims.
Thirteen members of the committee who made the decision in 2010, including the president Sepp Blatter, remain in place, while nine have left. Those who have departed include Trinidad’s Jack Warner, who resigned after being placed under investigation – and who denied new allegations made against him this week.
Cameron said that despite the experience, he would back efforts by home nations to win the right to host matches at Euro 2020, which is being staged across Europe. “I am going to try to help the authorities in Scotland, Wales and England who want to bid for packages. Since the Olympics we have a great record of competitions coming here. I think they are brilliant for your economy … They are a great advert for Britain.” (TheGuardian)
