By Andrew Warshaw
November 26 – England 2018 ambassador Gary Lineker has urged FIFA not to be swayed by politics at next week’s eagerly awaited World Cup vote.
The former international striker, one of a 30-strong delegation travelling to Zurich for the December 2 ballot, says England’s chances should stand or fall on the merits of the bid rather than allow personal agendas to interfere.
“It’s really about the strongest bid and nothing else should transcend that,” said Lineker.
“They know we can host major events – I hope they’ll think about what’s best for football.”
England’s star-studded line-up in Zurich includes not only Prime Minister David Cameron, FA president Prince William and David Beckham but also Bobby Charlton, Alan Shearer and England manager Fabio Capello in what promises to be a hectic final week of campaigning.
“I’ll speak to whoever I can and try to persuade them that our bid is as good as you could ever have,” said Lineker.
“It’s an easy bid to sell – all one can do is keep banging home our many attributes.”
England’s bid has been rocked by a series of setbacks, from Lord Triesman’s resignation as FA chairman earlier this year to recent newspaper allegations of corruption and sleaze within FIFA that led to six officials being suspended, including two voting members.
Three days before next week’s vote, the BBC are due to screen a Panorama programme expected to heap even more embarrassment on football’s world governing body.
England bid officials have done their utmost to distance themselves from what many FIFA officials view as media entrapment and Lineker said it was vital to target any waverers.
“This should be about the bid, not a television programme,” said Lineker, the public face of BBC football broadcasting.”
“I very much hope Panorama won’t be adopting underhand tactics.”
Lineker, speaking at the unveiling of the Champions League final logo at Wembley, added: “We need to try to convince people right up until the last minute that our bid is the best thing for football.
“If you ask the players where they’d want to play 2018, the big players would want this country.
“A lot of World Cups suffer because of the conditions – ours would be perfect.
“Our weather’s not great but it is for positive, attacking football, with grounds that create the kind of atmosphere players love.
“It would have the best chance of offering a great show and FIFA could do with a really good World Cup.”
Lineker said UEFA president Michel Platini, whose organisation has eight votes, could end up being a key player.
“I know Michel very well.
“He’ll be a very influential figure – no question about that.”
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