England's 2018 World Cup hosting failure disappoints David Beckham
David Beckham has expressed utter disappointment on his country's failure to bring the 2018 World Cup hosting rights home. England were eliminated in the first round of voting in Zurich with only 2 votes coming their way. They were defeated by Russia who
now have the rights to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
England’s final presentation was labelled “excellent and remarkable” by FIFA President, Sepp Blatter. After the final voting results, Beckham said, “It's obviously disappointing not coming away with the World Cup but I think the whole team can be proud of
everything we've put through. The presentation was exceptional, everyone has told us that it was one of the best - if not the best - presentation, but it just wasn't meant to be.”
Beckham added that England’s bid had received positive response from almost every one before the voting day arrived. He stated, “We got very good feelings from almost all the members that we met, and we met every one, so obviously it's disappointing to go
out in the first round, it's disappointing to not get the World Cup. But we send all our congratulations to Russia and Qatar”
England’s former captain refused to blame the British media for England’s failure. He stated that he is in no position to assert if the investigations carried out by BBC Panorama and Sunday Times influenced the FIFA members to go against England. Both investigations
alleged that FIFA members are involved in high corruption.
England only won 2 of the 22 available votes, one which came from their own man Geoff Thompson. Thompson is Britain’s FIFA vice-president and formerly was chairman of FA for eight years. Thompson said that FIFA members have broken the promises made to England.
“The votes that were promised clearly didn't materialize. I never imagined we would go out in the first round.”
England have hosted the FIFA World Cup only once back in 1966. They will now have to wait for another generation to try to bring the World Cup back to their soil. The 2022 World Cup hosting rights have been awarded to Qatar, which will take the competition
to the Middle East for the first time.
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