By Andrew Warshaw
February 25 – David Ginola kicks off his new role as an ambassador for England’s 2018 World Cup bid by accompanying bid officials to the Caribbean football union Congress this weekend.
In what is very much a charm offensive to woo CONCACAF president Jack Warner following the FIFA veteran’s adverse comments about the English bid, the former French international will be part of a delegation that includes chief executive Andy Anson and new international vice-president David Dein.
During the trip, England 2018 will formally present their bid to Warner, FIFA’s longest-serving Vice-President, in Port of Spain before attending the CFA Congress on Sunday.
The English FA have a long-standing relationship with CONCACAF, providing a number of technical courses and development programmes but face stiff opposition to secure the backing of the confederation’s three voting members among the 24-strong FIFA elite.
Ginola, who enjoyed spells at Newcastle and Tottenham, views England as his second home and recently said he would prefer his adopted country to win the World Cup in South Africa than his native France.
The trip to the Caribbean also marks Dein’s first official involvement with the bid though the Arsenal vice-chairman, one of world football’s most effective networkers, has long been working behind the scenes to add support to the bid.