FIFA Executive Committee member claims he has made his mind up for 2018 World Cup

By Andrew Warshaw

May 30 – Marios Lefkaritis (pictured), a prominent member of FIFA’s 24-strong Executive Committee, says he has already virtually made up his mind who to back for the 2018 World Cup – but will not reveal where his vote is going.

Lefkaritis recently described the newspaper sting that forced Lord Triesman to resign as England’s bid leader in the wake of unsubstantiated corruption allegations as “evil” but wouldn’t be pressed on whether it had influenced his vote.

“I have made up my mind 90 percent,” the Cypriot told BBC Radio Five Live.

“I’m very close to it but not even my wife knows what I’m thinking.”

Whilst he believes the Mail on Sunday’s revelations were a setback for England, he says the amount of damage caused to England’s bid has been exaggerated and again attacked the way Triesman was forced out.

“I think this kind of article is evil., not to say diabolical,” he said. “

“It would make me extremely angry.

“You speak with with someone in private and are recorded.

“I’m not sure [what happened] is so damaging but these things have to be avoided – especially at this time when we are getting very close to the decision.

“I didn’t see any happy faces after this but that doesn’t mean the bid has been damaged.”

Turning to last week’s 2106 European Championship vote, Lefkaritis would not be drawn on the justification of awarding the event to France despite a third straight Turkish bid.

The 7-6 vote has privately been greeted with fury by Turkish officials who believe a majority UEFA’s Executive Committee simply took the safe option in order to appease their President Michel Platini who was not eligible to vote.

“The choice was difficult and it was very tight but France clinched it,” Lefkaritis said.

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