Brady: Infighting is harming 2018 bid 27/11/2009 |
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Former Birmingham City managing director Karren Brady has admitted that England’s 2018 World Cup bid has been hampered by “bickering, infighting and disruption”.
Brady, who was on the bid team board until earlier this month only to be moved to an advisory role as part of a “streamlining” of the committee, was asked by the BBC if the bid had been a shambles. She said: “From the outside looking in, that’s probably fair comment.”
The reshuffle was quickly followed by the resignation of Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards from the main board amid rumours he felt the scope of his role was being eroded.
Brady added: “If everybody doesn’t pull together for the same aim, things won’t be achieved.
“We’ve got an excellent chance and an excellent technical bid. We’ve got some wonderful stadia in this country to host the most amazing World Cup.
“But internal politics can’t be seen to be getting in the way of that.”
2018 chief executive Andy Anson also acknowledged yesterday (November 26) that internal politics had disrupted the campaign.
He said: “We owe it to [the 15 cities bidding to host World Cup matches] and we owe it to football fans at home and abroad who want to see the World Cup here to put any personal issues aside and move forward. This is a winnable bid.
“All I care about now is that we pull together from this moment on and we try our best to bring the World Cup here. Let’s not navel gaze any more, let’s get on the front foot and start attacking. I’m not pretending that what happened has been helpful, it clearly hasn’t. But we’ve got to draw a line in the sand and move on.”
Meanwhile, former England striker Alan Shearer believes the streamlining of the board was in the best interests of the campaign.
He told Sky Sports News: “There have been changes at the top, but I think people have looked at things, and how they could improve things, and I think that was only right that happened.
“But I still think we have an excellent bid overall in England. I think the right people are in charge of that and we’re all pretty confident.
“I was fortunate enough to play in a World Cup and play in a European Championship here on home soil in Euro 96.
“It was a fantastic atmosphere to play in. It will be all that and a hell of a lot more come 2018.”
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