Warner blasts “stupid” Panorama investigation
By Andrew Warshaw
November 22 – Jack Warner, FIFA’s longest serving vice-president, has described as “stupid” a forthcoming BBC investigation into World Cup bidding.
England
Cameron to fly to Zurich to meet Warner to get him to support England 2018
By Duncan Mackay in Zurich
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
November 18 – British Prime Minister David Cameron has invited FIFA vice-president Jack Warner to lunch in Zurich next week as lobbying for the 2018 World Cup intensifies, it has been reported.
BBC are “unpatriotic” claims England 2018 World Cup chief
By Tom Degun in London
November 17 – Andy Anson, the chief executive of the England 2018 World Cup bid, has hit out at the BBC accusing them of being “unpatriotic” in their plans to screen a Panorama documentary regarding allegations of FIFA corruption.
England 2018 try to distance themselves from British media investigations
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November 15 – England 2018 have sent a letter to all FIFA Executive Committee members to try to repair the damage caused by two media investigations into World Cup bidding.
Russia describe England World Cup complaint as “absolutely primitive”
By Andrew Warshaw in Zurich
October 27 – The verbal spat between England and Russia over their fight for the 2018 World Cup took on yet another twist tonight when England were blasted as being “absolutely primitive” for making a formal complaint to FIFA about their chief rival’s behaviour.
Exclusive: England demands apology over Sorokin comments
By David Owen in Zurich
October 26 – England 2018 has made a formal complaint to FIFA about its arch-rival, the Russian bid.
Cameron meets Blatter at Downing Street
By David Owen
October 13 – British Prime Minister David Cameron has welcomed Sepp Blatter to Downing Street in the latest meeting between FIFA top brass and political leaders from countries bidding to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Exclusive: “Sense of entitlement will kill 2018 World Cup bid” warns Sports Minister
By Tom Degun
October 11 – Sports Minister Hugh Robertson says Britain must rid itself of using the term ‘Decade of Sport’ as it implies a sense of entitlement to host major sporting events.
English World Cup would be “magical” claim Premier League managers
October 10 – England hosting the 2018 World Cup would be a “magical” thing, according to one leading Premier League boss.
Bristol City make public protest against World Cup stadium snub
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
October 2 – Bristol City used today’s Championship match against Norwich City at Ashton Gate to launch a counter-protest against plans to stop them building their new stadium which could host World Cup games if England’s bid to host the 2018 tournament is successful.
‘Becks effect’ could secure England 2018 World Cup, says Coe
By Andrew Warshaw
October 1 – David Beckham’s ambassadorial role has put England in a strong position to win the right to stage the 2018 World Cup.
Becks woos Warner in Trinidad
September 26 – David Beckham’s quest to help England stage the 2018 World Cup reached another important landmark at the FIFA under-17 women’s World Cup in Trinidad where South Korea beat Japan in Saturday’s final.
Beckham goes head-to-head with Gullit in Trinidad for World Cup votes
By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
September 20 – Football legends David Beckham and Ruud Gullit, who were briefly together at Los Angeles Galaxy, are spearheading high-profile attempts this week to ensure that FIFA vice-president Jack Warner votes for their country’s bid to host the World Cup in 2018.
Bristol City World Cup dream suffers another setback
September 16 – Bristol City’s hopes of hosting World Cup matches in 2018 if England are awarded the tournament have receeded even further after their bid to build a new stadium at Ashton Vale suffered another blow.
Scottish fans complain they cannot support England World Cup bid
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By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year
September 12 – The ruling Scottish National Party have complained to Geoff Thompson, the chairman of England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup, because they claim that Scottish fans are unable to pledge their support to a campaign first launched by Gordon Brown, a Scot and keen Raith Rovers supporter .