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FIFA Inspection Team Praises England's World Cup 2018 Bid
Potential host receives plaudits...
26-Aug-2010 8:03:00 PM
By Matt Monaghan
FIFA's six-man inspection team praised the England 2018 World Cup bid today in a glowing closing statement, but demanded further information about accommodation.
The group - led by Chilean federation president Harold Mayne-Nicholls - hailed England's infrastructure, government support, passion for the sport and readiness as they concluded their four-day trip.
Speaking before the team prepared to depart for Manchester Airport, Mayne-Nicholls said: "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.
"The concept you are coming up with that every single participating team will be hosted by a domestic professional team makes perfect sense to us.
"It will guarantee that all the teams will be able to practise in perfect conditions.
"Concerning public transportation and event facilities, there seems to be no problem in hosting an event of such scope.
"This also counts for safety and security matters. One thing FIFA are particularly focused on is accommodation as we need a very high number of quality rooms.
"This is why we ask all bidders for a certain number of contracted hotel rooms.
"We trust that you will be able to fulfil the necessary requirements."
Mayne-Nicholls also spoke warmly about the visits to London, the north east and Manchester.
He added: "They have organised the visit in a perfect way, with great professionalism, but also with a sense of friendship and hospitality."
England will now await the final decision from the FIFA executive committee in December in Zurich, Switzerland. Chief executive Andy Anson reiterated the message that the Premier League club's existing stadia were already fit for the job.
He said: "Many elements of our proposals are in place and with some small adaptations would be competition-ready.
"The same can be said of our training sites, the venues for the preliminary and final draw, FIFA congress, the international broadcast centre, the hotels and the transport infrastructure.
"And, of course, working with FIFA we must improve what we have - and we will do."
Anson also insisted the nation were ready to work with FIFA to host a tournament that "benefits millions of people worldwide".
He added: "We will guarantee that FIFA and global football will see a legacy that will last for generations which benefits millions of people worldwide in each of FIFA's 2018 member associations.
"Everything we've said this week leads to this focus on a global legacy.
"It explains why we believe that it will truly be a FIFA World Cup for the world."
The group - led by Chilean federation president Harold Mayne-Nicholls - hailed England's infrastructure, government support, passion for the sport and readiness as they concluded their four-day trip.
Speaking before the team prepared to depart for Manchester Airport, Mayne-Nicholls said: "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.
"The concept you are coming up with that every single participating team will be hosted by a domestic professional team makes perfect sense to us.
"It will guarantee that all the teams will be able to practise in perfect conditions.
"Concerning public transportation and event facilities, there seems to be no problem in hosting an event of such scope.
"This also counts for safety and security matters. One thing FIFA are particularly focused on is accommodation as we need a very high number of quality rooms.
"This is why we ask all bidders for a certain number of contracted hotel rooms.
"We trust that you will be able to fulfil the necessary requirements."
Mayne-Nicholls also spoke warmly about the visits to London, the north east and Manchester.
He added: "They have organised the visit in a perfect way, with great professionalism, but also with a sense of friendship and hospitality."
England will now await the final decision from the FIFA executive committee in December in Zurich, Switzerland. Chief executive Andy Anson reiterated the message that the Premier League club's existing stadia were already fit for the job.
He said: "Many elements of our proposals are in place and with some small adaptations would be competition-ready.
"The same can be said of our training sites, the venues for the preliminary and final draw, FIFA congress, the international broadcast centre, the hotels and the transport infrastructure.
"And, of course, working with FIFA we must improve what we have - and we will do."
Anson also insisted the nation were ready to work with FIFA to host a tournament that "benefits millions of people worldwide".
He added: "We will guarantee that FIFA and global football will see a legacy that will last for generations which benefits millions of people worldwide in each of FIFA's 2018 member associations.
"Everything we've said this week leads to this focus on a global legacy.
"It explains why we believe that it will truly be a FIFA World Cup for the world."
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