By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
December 1 – The race to stage the 2018 and 2022 World Cups reaches a nail-biting climax tomorrow with Spain/Portugal and England emerging as potential opponents for the final round of bidding for 2018 and the United States out in front for the latter tournament.
Twenty-four hours after candidates for 2022 made their final presentations to FIFA, it will be the turn of the four European 2018 contenders to play their final cards and try to eek out late support with their 30-minute addresses to FIFA’s top brass.
As all nine contenders lobbied well into the night on Wednesday, news that Vladimir Putin will not be aiding Russia’s cause in Zurich was welcome news for the three other European bidders.
Even more contentious, however, was Putin’s stunning indictment of the corruption allegations that have marred the entire bidding process and which appeared, on paper at least, to have significantly reduced Russia’s chance of victory.
The scenario of England facing Spain/Portugal in the final round for 2018 was given credence by the Iberian bid’s chief executive Miguel Angel Lopez.
Lopez said: “We are confident but we are not certain.
“We think we will win, we have eight votes for sure and it looks like it will be against England in the final round.”
Putin’s pronouncement that he will not be travelling was accompanied by an unexpected and unprecedented attack on the collusion allegations that have rocked the entire process.
“We have watched with disappointment as an obvious campaign was being unleashed against members of the FIFA executive committee,” Putin was quoted as telling ministers in Moscow.
“They are being dragged through the mud and smeared.
“I interpret this as unfair competition.
“We believe that such methods of competition are entirely unacceptable.
“Under these circumstances, I think it would be best not to go out of respect for the members of the FIFA Executive Committee, so that they could make their decision in peace and without any outside pressure.”
“I call upon my fellow international colleagues to do the same, and to honor the important and historic FIFA World Cup Host Country selection process taking place this week.
“As are all fair-minded people, I am very disappointed about the recent allegations against certain FIFA Executive Committee members.
“If the decision is made in favour of our bid I will immediately meet Sepp Blatter and members of FIFA’s executive to discuss the plans.
“Russia wants and hopes and has the ability, including financial, to host this largest of tournaments.
“If we are given the chance we will do this in the best possible way.”
Later, an official version of Putin’s remarks was issued by the Russian bid committee but the wording was only slightly different, leaving out references to mud-slinging and smears but retaining him denouncing media reports seen as undermining FIFA Executive Committee members.
If Putin’s move was a genuine attempt to secure a couple more votes and boost Russia’s cause, it was a massive gamble.
One other interpretation was that, after being pivotal in helping his country win the 2014 Sochi winter Olympics, he was not prepared to face the embarrassment of defeat tomorrow.
Putin’s absence will be in stark contrast to the activities of British Prime Minister David Cameron, who has been in Zurich since yesterday along with Prince William and David Beckham meeting FIFA members.
Cameron flew back to London briefly before returning to Switzerland for more last-minute lobbying.
As the hours and minutes ticked by, it became clear that second and third round votes were the key to success, with most pundits predicting an early exit for Holland/Belgium, followed by Russia, leaving England and Spain/Portugal to fight it out.
For 2022, meanwhile, despite a highly impressive presentation by Japan, it appeared to be a two-way fight between the US and Qatar, with Australia coming up on the rails.
Sebastian Coe, who negotiated London’s successful 2012 Olympic bid, believes the final presentations could prove decisive.
Coe said: “There were IOC delegates who said to me after the vote in Singapore that they thought they were voting one way, and they actually shifted their ground during the presentations.
“I think it can happen here.
“There may well be ExCo members who think they are absolutely fixed in their view, and this is
where they are going to go but a really strong presentation, with a really clear messages and some emotional appeal can make a difference.”
Spain/Portugal, with an apparent eight votes in the bag according to Lopez, are likely to win the first round but the strategy of other bidders is to secure enough support to stay in the running and pick up support.
Although the Dutch/Belgian bid has long been considered an also-ran, there are increasing rumours that more than just a handful of FIFA members may vote for them early on.
“That’s exactly what we think,” said Harry Been, the bid’s chief executive.
“There’s a fair chance of that happening, going through the first round and then all of a sudden getting more support.
“It is realistic, believe me.
“Not everyone agrees but we think so.”
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1734832351labto1734832351ofdlr1734832351owedi1734832351sni@w1734832351ahsra1734832351w.wer1734832351dna1734832351