FA hopes for Beckham bid boost

England star drafted in to help flagging 2018 proposal

Last updated: 13th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

FA hopes for Beckham bid boost

Beckham: Man on a mission

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Football Association chairman Lord Triesman hopes David Beckham can rescue England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

Twelve months ago England were considered favourites to stage the tournament, but it is now understood that they have fallen behind the likes of Spain, Russia and Australia.

Triesman has been criticised, while England's proposal as a whole, which has been derailed by perceived arrogance in previous years, has also been slammed by Fifa executive committee member Jack Warner.

The FA has therefore turned to England star Beckham, who supported the successful 2012 Olympics bid, in an attempt to rescue its proposal as the likes of former Sports Minister Richard Caborn are removed from the board.

Triesman explained: "We have committed ourselves not just to ensuring he gets there for the full timeslot but also that we can look after his security and arrangements.

No luxury

"It is not a question of luxury, just a reflection of the personality that he is."

There have been questions regarding the amount of money required to get Beckham from Gelsenkirchen - where he will play an exhibition match for LA Galaxy against Schalke - to South Africa on a charter flight ahead of the draw on 4th December.

But Triesman insists it is justified, saying: "The person most people have said they want to meet is David Beckham. He is working with us and will continue to do that on a number of specific things.

"We will use him as much as possible because he is such a fantastic ambassador. England runs right through the guy's bone marrow.

"He loves the sport. He loves the idea England can win this and he believes we can win.

Generous

"We cannot forget he is still playing but he is willing to be as generous with his time as his commitments allow. He is very patriotic and we will get a big input from him."

Triesman has also insisted that he cannot leave the bid committee, adding: "Fifa made it absolutely clear that whoever was chairman of the domestic FA had to stand behind the bid. That is their acid test.

"You have to do both. You have to organise your time, your resources and the people around you. Those are the rules of the game. I don't get the option of walking away.

"I have listened to the criticism. I have learned from it and got to what I think is a more streamlined and viable approach. If that is an admission of getting it wrong, it is an admission.

"But I passionately want the World Cup in England and I thoroughly intend to confound the predictions of those who doubt us."