By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
June 24 – Former President Bill Clinton has given the United States bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup a massive boost by changing his travel plans so he can continue to support them in South Africa.
Clinton, who is the honorary chairman of the US bid, was so enthused by the team’s injury-time victory against Algeria in Rustenburg last night which took America from facing elimination to top of Group C that he has made arrangements so he can watch them take on Ghana in the last 16 on Saturday (June 26).
Clinton sat between FIFA President Sepp Blatter and Issa Hayatou, the President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, giving him the perfect opportunity promote the US bid to host the World Cup for the first time since 1994.
After Landon Donovan’s late winner Clinton visited the US dressing room to congratulate the team.
Donovan said: ”He is one of the most-liked and popular people around the world and he’s very charismatic.
“You could tell how touched he was by the moment, and it was very nice to have him there.”
Sunil Gulati, the President of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), added: ”He [Clinton] was so proud of the team.
“He stood up.
“He was excited.
“He was facing away from me at the time [of the goal].
“I didn’t think it was a good idea to try to get him to spin and do a big bear hug.
“There were Secret Service guys around.”
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