Exclusive: Row will not derail Australian World Cup bid promises Sports Minister

By Andrew Warshaw

January 8 – Kate Ellis (pictured), Australia’s Sports Minister, insists the country’s bid to stage the World Cup in 2018 or 2022 will not be adversely affected either by kickoff schedules or by an escalating row with other sports.

Ellis says the massive funding provided by the Federal Government proves that Australia is serious about taking on the four European contenders plus the United States and rival Asian candidates in the months leading up to the vote in Zurich on December 2

Much has been made in recent weeks about internal difficulties that threaten to railroad the Australian bid with established sports like Aussie Rules and the two rugby codes determined not to just step aside and be sidelined by soccer during the World Cup.

A special taskforce has been set up to try to resolve the dispute but Ellis insists the bid will not be railroaded by splits.

“We know that if we are to pull this off, we have to have a co-operative partnership,” she told insideworldfootball.

“The community knows there are huge benefits not just for the football lovers but for whole society.

“We are working with the other sports.

“There is a general awareness that an event like this leaves a legacy for decades and not just for the football community.

“As a Government we have shown our commitment, we have put over £45 million dollars of funding on the table and are willing do everything necessary to show the rest of world we are deadly serious.”

Ellis believes Australia’s membership of the Asian confederation will work in its favour, not against it, and that kickoff times - many of them in the morning in Europe - will not be a problem.

“Asia is where the growth of football is and that goes for TV audiences too.

“Obviously there are some challenges geographically being so far away but we feel we can overcome that.

“What is comes down to is the case you put forward, how ready you are.

“Asia is a huge viewing market.

“And we saw with the Sydney Olympics that we can successfully stage events at a time when the rest of the world tunes in, and tunes in in big numbers.”

At present, Australia are still holding out for both 2018 and 2022 despite huge competition for the former.

Franz Beckenbauer has suggested that the country leaves 2018 to Europe and focuses solely on 2022, going up against Qatar, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia in what is emerging as a mainly Asian battle.

No Continent can host the World Cup twice in a row and Australia’s Asian rivals are keen to have a clear run for 2022.

But so far at least, Ellis said, no decision has been taken to officially withdraw Australia from 2018.

“At present we are putting in bids for both.

“Obviously there will be a lot of discussion and negotiation throughout the bidding process.

“There is a lot of time for these things to play out.”

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