By Tom Degun in London
December 6 – London Mayor Boris Johnson has admitted that he may not be able to prevent members of FIFA’s Executive Committee from staying at the exclusive Dorchester Hotel during the London 2012 Olympics despite him withdrawing his offer for them to stay there.
Johnson withdrew the offer after England received just two of a possible 22 votes during the 2018 World Cup vote in Zurich last Thursday (December 2), despite several members of the Executive Committee allegedly promising to vote for the their bid.
Johnson, who attended the vote in Switzerland, had offered the free accommodation for FIFA President Sepp Blatter and his team but after England were embarrsingly eliminated as the tournament was awarded to Russia he angrily said that they would no longer be welcome at London’s most glamorous hotel.
But Johnson (pictured with Fabio Capello) has now admitted to insideworldfootball that there is little he can do to prevent the FIFA Executive Committee members staying at The Dorchester because the decision is not up to him.
He said: “Despite what has been said, The Dorchester Hotel business is really a matter for LOCOG and I’m sure they’ll make their decision on the best possible basis.
“It’s no secret that we are very upset with FIFA though.
“Losing the vote in Zurich was bitterly disappointing but as they say, ‘Them’s the breaks’ and you have just got to get on with it.
“In footballing terms, the best thing we can possibly do now is try and win the World Cup in Rio de Janeiro in 2014.
“That’s what we should do.
“But it’s not all doom and gloom as we’ve got the Olympics and Paralympics in 2012, the Rugby World Cup in 2015 and a whole host of other great sporting events coming up so we have still got an awful lot to look forward to over the next few years.”
During London 2012, it is the Organising Committee who allocate hotel rooms for VIP guests and the FIFA Executive Committee members had been invited to stay at The Dorchester where they would occupy luxurious £1,000 ($1,5000)-a-night suites at the five-star hotel for more than a week during the Olympics.
FIFA are known to be big admirers of The Dorchester and its inspection team stayed there during the summer as they evaluated England’s bid for the 2018 World Cup.
A London 2012 spokesperson told insideworldfootball: “FIFA has requested rooms in the Dorchester Hotel for the Games along with other groups.
“We are currently working out room allocations and availability.”
The Dorchester’s website stated the hotel offers “rooms of exceptional grace and comfort”
It continues: “Bathrooms are welcoming and spacious, offering an exceptional combination of style and function, and are said to have the deepest baths in London.
“They are made in Italian marble and designed in the classic Art Deco style.
“The large sitting room has distinct areas for comfortable seating and elegant dining.
‘The suites all feature marble en suite bathrooms that are notably luxurious and spacious with natural daylight. Four-poster beds are also a highlight.”
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1735307152labto1735307152ofdlr1735307152owedi1735307152sni@n1735307152uged.1735307152mot1735307152