2018 chief: Negative headlines won’t impact bid 24/02/2010 |
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England 2018 chief executive Andy Anson has insisted that tabloid stories about players’ private lives and cash-strapped clubs will not harm the country’s chances of hosting the World Cup.
Coach Fabio Capello stripped John Terry of the England captaincy after newspaper allegations of an affair with Wayne Bridge’s ex-girlfriend, while Ashley Cole’s marriage problems have also been making front-page headlines recently.
But Anson said: "Internationally, people look at us with some amusement and wonder why we're getting into this level of detail on private matters.
"Those are not the things we are going to be judged on. We will be judged on the quality of our technical bid and how much we want the World Cup to come here.
"People do follow what happens in England, they follow it intensely. For me, that's a demonstration of how passionate people are about English football. Ultimately, I think that is one of the biggest assets we have."
Portsmouth’s financial woes have cast another negative shadow over English football, and many clubs in the lower divisions are also struggling to survive.
However, Anson pointed out that the problem is not just confined to England.
"It's not just an issue for us, it's an issue across Europe,” he added. “That's why it's an important agenda item for Fifa and Uefa, as well as the FA and the Premier League.
“Ultimately, they all have the same objective. I'm pretty sure English football is working together in a fairly effective way."
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