Premier League donation demonstrates their support claims Anson

By Duncan Mackay

December 7 – The Premier League’s support of England’s campaign to host the 2018 World Cup was demonstrated at the weekend when clubs donated perimeter advertising at their fixtures to promote the bid, chief executive Andy Anson (pictured) has claimed.

The resignation of Sir Dave Richards, the chairman of the Premier League, from the bid board last month had increased speculation that the world’s richest competition were not behind England 2018.

Anson now claim collaborative approach between the Premier League and England 2018 in supporting the World Cup bid was evidence at a key moment in the campaign at the weekend.

Clubs donated perimeter advertising at their fixtures to promote “One year to go” in England’s bid to bring the tournament back to this country for the first time since 1966.

The Premier League provided promotional space on digital advertising boards at non-televised fixtures at Arsenal, Aston Villa and West Ham United.

With every Premier League fixture beamed across the world, there was global visibility as each venue displayed the bid message, he claimed.

The activity raised public awareness even further after a successful week of bid activity in South Africa during the build up to Friday’s 2010 FIFA World Cup draw in Cape Town, Anson said.

The message at the grounds read: “England 2018. One year to go. Back the bid. Text ENGLAND to 62018”.

Anson said: ”The Premier League has confirmed support for the bid with marketing and promotional opportunities and this was a perfect example of the partnership working successfully.

“We had a great week in South Africa but there is still a long way to go before the decision and the support of the Premier League proves that English football is truly united in its desire and its determination to bring the FIFA World Cup to England in 2018.”

A Premier League spokesman said: “Premier League matches are beamed in to more than 200 countries and a cumulative audience in excess of four billion football fans, so the message that all of English football is excited about the opportunity of hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2018 couldn’t be clearer right around the world.

“The passion, skill and excitement on view week in week out in the Premier League demonstrates what a World Cup in England would be like - our fans would welcome all to what would be a fantastic celebration of football.”

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