Scudamore claims Premier League are behind England World Cup bid

By Andrew Warshaw in London

May 9 – Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore (pictured) insists his organisation is fully behind England’s 2018 World Cup bid as the next crucial stage in the process approaches.

Contenders for 2018 and 2022 present their technical bid books to FIFA on Friday (May 14), all believing they have the best case for staging the tournament.

In recent months, reports have constantly pointed to a lack of harmony between the Football Association and its chairman Lord Triesman and the Premier League over both personal issues and funding - or lack of it - for England’s bid.

Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards resigned from the bid board in November and, more recently, was blamed in some quarters for the shock resignation of FA chief executive Ian Watmore.

But Scudamore insists there are no divisions and that the Premier League is totally behind the bid.

“There is no friction,” Scudamore told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Sportsweek.

“The reality is we worked very closely from the start.

“There is complete open dialogue.

“We could not be more supportive.”

Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734802970labto1734802970ofdlr1734802970owedi1734802970sni@w1734802970ahsra1734802970w.wer1734802970dna1734802970