By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
May 14 – David Beckham today officially handed over England’s 2018 World Cup bid book, telling FIFA President Sepp Blatter that football “runs through the veins” of English fans.
In a high-profile appearance full of pomp and ceremony, Beckham spoke of the “passion and emotion” England could bring to the tournament as he led a five-strong delegation to FIFA headquarters in Zurich.
“I’m here on behalf of our fans,” said Beckham, clearly the star of the show who came over impeccably and spoke unscripted, unlike many officials from other delegations.
“Football runs through our veins.
“We are all brought up on it.
“It’s truly an honour to be here.
“On behalf of our team, the delegation and our fans, we present you with our bid book.
In thanking the English delegation - second among the nine candidates to present their bid books - Blatter referred to England as the “motherland” of football and disclosed that he had already spoken to new Prime Minister David Cameron who, he said, had endorsed the bid.
Government guarantees are a pre-requisite of any World Cup bid and there has been considerable alarm over whether Cameron, who is expected to announced swingeing cuts, would provide the necessary funds.
But Blatter said: “Yesterday I received a phone call from the new Prime Minister.
“Not only did he express his determination to be behind the bid but also behind the World Cup 2010.”
Later, Beckham, England’s most capped outfield player, said winning the vote to stage the 2018 World Cup would rank among his greatest achievements.
“Today was a big day for us,” he said.
“If we win the vote, it would be up there with anything I have achieved as a player.
“To represent my country off the field is something new and special.
“You dream of playing in the World Cup.
“To have it in your country is an even bigger dream.”
Beckham also revealed he had been asked to go to South Africa as part of the England staff this summer but was not sure in what capacity.
“I’ve spoken to the manager [Fabio Capello] and [his assistant] Franco Baldini and they have made it well aware that I have a role to play with the players and the team,” said Beckham, currently out with an Achilles injury.
“We have not discussed specifics but I’m honoured that a manager of Fabio’s status feels I can be important.
“I am hoping to travel with the team but obviously we’ll have to see how my therapy goes.”
Blatter teased the England delegation by asking whether they were still in the running for both World Cups – 2018 and 2022 - or just the former. FA chairman Lord Triesman was clearly taken by surprise but was quick to respond to the innocent jest:
“It depends how you play it,” he joked.
The December 2 vote is for both tournaments and Triesman told reporters there was a protocol to abide by even though 2018 is almost certain to go to Europe.
“The competition is open for both tournaments and while everybody says there is a strong likelihood that 2018 will go to Europe, no-one can double-guess this,” he said.
“At the moment we are bidding for both but candidly I hope we win it for 2018.”
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