By Andrew Warshaw
February 18 – Former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein (pictured) has been appointed international President of England’s 2018 World Cup bid campaign team, it has been announced.
Dein, still one of the most influential and canny figures in world football despite a lengthy layoff from any official position, is set to play a key role alongside chairman Lord Triesman.
“David has a huge amount of experience in world football and an excellent network of contacts,” said the Tottenham Hotspur-supporting Triesman of the former Arsenal stalwart.
“We are very pleased that he will be joining the team in such an important role for the crucial final 10 months.”
England must submit their bid book by May 14.
FIFA will then carry out an inspection visit in August or September ahead of the decision in Zurich on December 2.
Dein was already playing an an informal role in the bid, speaking at football conferences and chairing debates, but will now officially take charge of international relations calling on a multitude of contacts in the corridors of power.
“We are now entering a critical phase of the bid both domestically and internationally,” said bid chief executive Andy Anson.
“We need to continue to concentrate on our message to the FIFA Executive Committee of why England is the right country to be awarded the honour of hosting the World Cup.
“David is able to give this international role his full focus and will play a key role in that advocacy within the campaign team.”
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