By Andrew Warshaw
December 23 – Tottenham Hotspur are convinced they can persuade FIFA to choose their new ground over the Olympic stadium if England wins the right to stage the 2018 World Cup.
Spurs have not made any official comment since a three-man panel selected the 17 prospective stadiums for hosting 2018 games, with Tottenham’s new 56,000-capacity ground going head-to-head against the venue being built for the 2012 London Olympics.
If England are successful in December next year, FIFA will whittle down the shortlist to a maximum of 12 but Spurs believe they will have a far stronger case than the Olympic venue – especially if it remains primarily a track and field arena.
Wembley and The Emirates are the only London stadiums that seem certain host matches but Spurs, who aim to have their new ground under construction by the time FIFA makes the firm and final decision in 2013, are confident they will get the nod.
“Once the stadium is built, it will be impossible for FIFA to leave us out,” said a high-ranking Spurs source.
“It will the best football stadium in Europe without a doubt.
“Both from a technical and environment point of view.
“We knew there was a possibility that we would not be chosen outright because we have not yet gone through planning and then we have the funding issues.
“But our detailed plans will blow FIFA away.
“We have no problem with the timing.”
With a maximum of three London stadiums being allowed, Tottenham’s case appears to rest on whether the Olympic arena (pictured) will remain at its 80,000 capacity or be reduced to 25,000 after the Games.
Spurs believe they can persuade FIFA that a pure football ground will be a far better option than a converted track and field venue.
“What are they going to do with it between 2012 and 2018?” the source told insideworldfootball.
“That’s the issue.
“You can’t operate an 80,000 stadium for half a decade.
“It’s not viable.
“Besides it will have a running track round the outside.
“The expectation is that it’s very unlikely FIFA would choose a running track-type stadium over a football-specific, state of the art stadium.”
He rejected reports that the new Spurs ground, costing around £400 million and being constructed adjacent to White Hart Lane, might not be operational in time.
“We told the 2018 panel that we would be operational for a minimum three seasons before the World Cup comes to England.
“We aren’t at all surprised that Arsenal’s ground was in because the FA needs some stadiums that are built and ready for the bid book.
“But we will be the newest soccer-specific stadium in the country at the time of the World Cup.
“Can you imagine the reaction of the football family if FIFA goes for an athletics stadium over a state-of-the-art football ground?”
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