England bid focuses on football legacy
Reuters - Thursday 02 December 2010, 11:26
ZURICH - England used its final presentation
on Thursday to promise FIFA a commercially successful 2018 World
Cup through an initiative that would match FIFA's current
spending on football development.
The money from the Football United project would be spent on
developing the grass roots game around the world and leave a
global legacy, bid leaders including Prime Minister David
Cameron said when they addressed FIFA's executive committee
members ahead of the vote.
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The presentation also concentrated on the impact football has
on England's society through the story of Eddie Afekafe, whose
life as a young homeless, jobless teenager in one of the
roughest parts of Manchester was transformed by the sport.
In a piece of theatre, he presented the pitch, welcoming
Prince William, the president of the English FA, to the stage.
Cameron emphasised political support for the bid, while
England's most famous player David Beckham focused on the huge
impact that English football has had around the world.
Beckham said: "Working with FIFA, the World Cup can bring so
many benefits that will be felt over generations. Your vote can
make this happen."
Chief executive Andy Anson promised FIFA a "unique proposal"
of "Football Hosting Football" a scheme whereby England's top
clubs would host the teams in 2018 providing them with the best
possible facilities.
England are bidding against Russia and joint challenges from
Spain/Portugal and Netherlands/Belgium to stage the finals. FIFA
will announce the winning bid later on Thursday.