Exclusive: Dutch PM has told Blatter Government support bid, says Gullit

By Duncan Mackay in Rio de Janeiro
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

November 22 – Ruud Gullit has claimed that Holland and Belgium’s joint campaign to host the 2018 World Cup still has a chance of winning next week despite being the lowest ranked of the four European bidders.

FIFA’s Evaluation Committee rated the bid as “medium-risk”, compared to “low-risk” for England and Russia and the other joint bid from Spain and Portugal.

The Committee was critical of the bid’s Government support after several politicians raised doubts over whether FIFA should be granted tax-free status during the World Cup and be allowed to impose marketing rules around stadiums.

The report’s criticism led to new Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte calling FIFA President Sepp Blatter last week in an effort to convince him that his country’s and Belgium’s joint-bid for the 2018 World Cup was a viable one.

Gullit, the President of the Holland/Belgium bid, is confident that the Evaluation report has not damaged their changes.

“It is important that we believe in our own bid,” the former Chelsea star told insideworldfootball.

“The bid is going strong.

“We know we are not the favourites but we are strong outsiders.”

Gullit has joined several other bidders in a round of last month lobbying here at Soccerex before the final vote in Zurich on December 2.

“I don’t think the Evaluation report has caused us any damage,” he said.

“It all has to do with our politics, the way politics are in Holland.

“You always have one side asking questions, questions, questions – that’s a normal thing in Holland but is not a normal thing in the other countries.

“They thought there was too much opposition all the time but that is the way our democratic system works in Holland.

“The Prime Minister has talked to Blatter and it has no effect whatsoever on the bid.

“We don’t need to change anything.”

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