Sheffield United and Everton angry over World Cup axe

December 18 - Sheffield United and Everton, overlooked to be part of England’s 2018 World Cup bid, have complained about being snubbed.

Sheffield United chairman Kevin McCabe led the protests after Bramall Lane (pictured) was not chosen but the city’s other proposed stadium, Hillsborough, the home of bitter rivals Sheffield Wednesday, was put forward when the 17 stadiums and 12 cities were announced in London on Wednesday.

McCabe said: ”It seems strange that we have arguably the best ground in Yorkshire and yet failed to be selected.

“A ground which has plans for redevelopment submitted without recourse to grants.

“I’ve communicated my congratulations to Wednesday and the city because, in that sense, it is a wonderful thing to be on the list.

“But it disturbs me as to why we didn’t get it.

“I suppose there is a frustration because of the work, time and effort that has been lost.

“We have improved to such an extent that we have held international games at under-20 and under-21 level and even been congratulated by Jack Warner [the FIFA vice-president].”

Alistair Reid, who led Leicester’s bid, claimed he was bemused by why they were not ignored in favour of Nottingham, whose proposed stadium is in doubt because of political problems.

Reid said: ”We submitted a fully compliant bid.

“The only area of risk surrounded the proposals to expand the stadium but we had a legal agreement from Leicester City that it would happen, with everything from steward numbers to changing room sizes specified.

“We were very surprised by the result because of the well-known issues about Nottingham.

“We’re stunned that neither Leicester nor Derby were chosen, while the high-risk stadium proposal in the East Midlands was.”

Everton chief executive Robert Elstone, meanwhile, has slammed Liverpool City Council following the decision to exclude them from the city’s World Cup bid.

Elstone blamed the City Council’s decision to block their proposals to build a new stadium at Kirkby.

He said: “What is truly disappointing is that we at Everton have been ruled out of contention despite constantly re-iterating our belief that we will have a new stadium built, open and fully-functioning many years before a World Cup in either 2018 or 2022.

“However, it is not without irony that the City played a major role in defeating Kirkby.

“Indeed, in the City’s official bid document, the proposed Kirkby stadium was described by the City Council leader Warren Bradley as ‘outstanding’.

“Other clubs that will face similar funding and planning challenges just like Everton have been included – so why not Everton?”

But the inclusion of Milton Keynes, despite criticism from AFC Wimbledon, has been backed by Roberto Di Matteo (pictured), the MK Dons’ former manager who is now at West Bromwich Albion.

Di Matteo, who spent a year as manager before moving to The Hawthorns, said: “It’s a fast-growing city and very much the location was probably vital to winning the bid as a host city for Milton Keynes.

“It’s a beautiful new stadium, which they will have to increase in size, but the second tier is already built so there is not too much work to be done there.

“The location is fantastic.

“You’re in a nice place there to go anywhere.

“You’re close to almost anything.

“There is no reason why they shouldn’t have got it.”

Di Matteo was part of the Italy team that played in Euro 96, the last major tournament to be staged in England, and said he is convinced that it would be the perfect hosts for the World Cup.

He said: ”I hope England get the nod.

“England is a wonderful football country.

“We had the European Championships in 1996 but it’s time they got another big competition.

“Most infrastructure is in place.

“If you look at the football stadiums in England they are all geared for football.”