By Duncan Mackay in Doha
November 13 – David Beckham (pictured) has been asked to rescue England’s faltering 2018 World Cup by travelling to Cape Town next month to try to influence the 24 men who will decide which country hosts the event.
Lord Triesman, the under-fire chairman of the bid, revealed here after arriving for England’s friendly against Brazil tomorrow that they are to spend £50,000 getting the former England captain to South Africa two days ahead of the World Cup draw on December 4.
Triesman said: “We have committed ourselves not just to ensuring he gets there for the full time slot but also that we can look after his security and arrangements.
“It is not a question of luxury, just a reflection of the personality that he is.”
Beckham will travel on a specially chartered jet to South Africa from Gelsenkirchen in Germany where Los Angeles Galaxy are playing a friendly against Schalke.
Triesman said: “The person most people have said they want to meet is David Beckham.
“We will use him as much as possible because he is such a fantastic ambassador.
“He loves the sport, he loves the idea England can win this and he believes we can win.
“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.”
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