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England's Bid to Stage 2018 World Cup Is Praised by FIFA Inspection Team
England’s bid to stage soccer’s World Cup in 2018 received praise today from a six-man team of inspectors from the sport’s ruling body, FIFA, at the end of their visit to the country.
“All the needs and objectives of our visit were met and we are positive that the World Cup in England in 2018 or 2022 would be a great experience with a long-lasting legacy for the country and its people as well as for football worldwide,” Harold Mayne-Nicholls, head of the delegation, said in a televised speech in Manchester, northwest England.
The team praised the level of government support, the standard of stadia, and the social involvement of clubs. Mayne- Nicholls said some respects of the bid were “perfect” and “there seems to be no problem” with transport and event facilities, or with security matters. He did, though, issue a note of caution about accommodation.
“One thing FIFA are particularly focused on is accommodation as we need a very high number of quality rooms,” said Mayne-Nicholls, who is president of the Chilean soccer federation. “This is why we ask all bidders for a certain number of contracted hotel rooms. We trust that you will be able to fulfill the necessary requirements.”
Three days ago, U.K. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said England had an “unbeatable” bid to stage the World Cup in 2018. On the first day of the FIFA delegation’s visit, Clegg told them the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition was backing England’s bid “to the hilt.”
Toured Wembley
England is aiming to stage the World Cup for the first time since 1966, when it won the four-yearly event.
Earlier this week, the FIFA group toured Wembley Stadium and met with national team coach Fabio Capello. They also viewed facilities including the Stadium of Light in Sunderland, St. James’ Park in neighboring Newcastle, Manchester United’s Old Trafford and the City of Manchester Stadium.
Russia, also in contention to host the 2018 event, received the FIFA team last month. The inspectors met with Prime Minister Vladimir Putin at his summer residence.
The 2018 edition is expected to be held in Europe. Candidates to host the World Cup in 2018 and 2022 are all being vetted by the inspection group, which will submit a report to FIFA’s 24-member executive body. The winning bids will be announced following a vote in December.
Joint bids from Spain/Portugal and the Netherlands/Belgium, as well as one from the U.S., are competing with England and Russia to stage the 2018 event.
To contact the reporter on this story: Peter-Joseph Hegarty in London at phegarty@bloomberg.net
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