By Andrew Warshaw
November 26 - England 2018 World Cup bid officials have ruled out the possibility of Liverpool being denied a hosting slot despite increasing problems over a new stadium in the city.
Neither Anfield or Goodison Park currently meet FIFA criteria for the tournament while Everton’s hopes of moving to a new ground have been dashed by local planning officials.
But former Liverpool icon John Barnes (pictured), a 2018 bid ambassador, said the city still had a strong case for staging the World Cup.
“It couldn’t have been at Anfield or Goodison anyway,” said Barnes.
“There will be a new stadium in place, that’s for sure.
“If Everton haven’t got a new one by then, then there will only have to be one.
“It’s nine years down the road. Liverpool already have planning permission.
“If we were talking about next year or the one after, it might be worrying.
“But there will be no danger by 2018 of there not being a new stadium in Liverpool to host the World Cup.”
Everton chief executive Robert Elstone, who was at Wembley for the city’s submission to the selection panel of Lord Mawhinney, 2018 chief executive Andy Anson and chief operating officer Simon Johnson, admitted the club would consider a ground-sharing arrangement.
He said: ”It’s certainly one of the options that we will need to cover.”
Anson stressed Liverpool’s bid was as strong as any but refused to make any predictions as to the final outcome on December 16.
“Liverpool have got a very convincing bid and are very optimistic that funding for a new stadium to replace Anfield is around the corner,” he said.
“The fallback option is Anfield itself.
“Even though they may have to make improvements, it’s a pretty iconic stadium.”
Meanwhile Aston Villa chief financial officer Robin Russell, representing Birmingham’s bid, said there was no truth in the suggestion that the city could not find the relevant funds to made a genuine submission.
“It’s slightly depressing to hear that because that is not what is happening on the ground,” he said
“We’ve had a conversation with the city about costings and they have turned out extremely well.
“We don’t have any issues.
“We’re talking about things that have to happen between now and 2018.
“There is plenty of time to make sure everything FIFA require is in place and there is no up front investment. For us it is a no-gain, no-loss situation.”
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