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By Duncan Mackay in Johannesburg
November 30 – Paul Elliott, the former Chelsea and Celtic defender who is a member of England 2018’s Board, today met with FIFA Executive Committee member Amos Adamu (pictured) at Soccerex, the global football convention.
The meeting took place at the start of a busy week in South Africa that builds towards Friday’s World Cup draw in Cape Town and which England 2018 officials hope will put their controversial campaign back on track.
Included in England 2018’s programme are a visit by former England captain David Beckham to the Coaching for Hope project in Cape Town and an appearance by Beckham and England manager Fabio Capello on behalf of England 2018 at a FIFA organised bidding event on Friday morning.
Elliott, who here with several other members of England’s bid team, including the popular former Tottenham Hotspur and Argentinian midfielder Ossie Ardilles, took the opportunity to meet Adamu.
He said: ”Mr Adamu was extremely gracious in giving us his time and I was delighted to be able meet him.
“Johannesburg and Cape Town provide us with a great opportunity to promote our message and I’m delighted we were able to do that today.”
England 2018 are also using Lucas Radebe, one of South Africa’s most popular ever players, to promote their bid here.
Radebe, who spent 12 years at Leeds United, regards his playing days in England as the best of his career and is hoping that England’s bid to host the World Cup tournament in 2018 will provide him with a personal “double” with his home country due to stage next year’s event.
He said: “England would be a tremendous venue for the World Cup.
“The passion England has for football is known all over the world and it’s a nation that’s blessed with some of the most famous stadiums in world football.
“The new Wembley for example, is fantastic and whichever cities get selected to stage matches alongside it, there will be venues that every football fan around the world will recognise.
“The stadiums make England a tremendous place to play football.
“The atmosphere inside is like no other anywhere in the world and so its a truly unique and memorable experience for anyone who is there.
“I spent the best time of my career playing in packed stadiums that produced an atmosphere that made your spine tingle.
“I have so many memories of my 12 years in England and it really is a home from home for me. England gave me the opportunity to play there so I’d be delighted if England had the opportunity to host the FIFA World Cup.”
Radebe posed with an England “Back the Bid” scarf after taking part in an African Football Initiative that was launched by Special Olympics Africa in Nelson Mandela Square here.
During his career, he earned 70 Caps for his country and his presence at the event proved he remains a favourite with the local fans.
Radebe said: ”As a South African, I am so proud that my country is staging next year’s tournament.
“South Africa will stage a fantastic World Cup and I’m convinced the same would be said of England if the world Cup went there in 2018.
“As a player, it is a brilliant place to play and as a spectator its an exciting place to watch.
“FIFA will see what South Africa can offer world football next year and I truly hope England will be awarded that chance in 2018.”
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