Sepp Blatter is impressed by England World Cup bid
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has admitted that England’s World Cup bid has impressed him.
Blatter met the English Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday and discussed England’s World Cup bid for 2018.
He also met England manager Fabio Capello and a number of players before he watched a presentation of England’s bid.
The FIFA president admitted that, "Your bid has impressed me personally. England can organise the World Cup. That's not a problem."
"You have given to the world security in the stadiums. You have built all your stadia, there are no fences and everyone is sitting,” added Blatter.
The Swiss national highlighted the importance of security in the aftermath of the violent scenes at the Italy and Serbia match on Tuesday night.
Blatter complimented England in how they eradicated the hooligan element in football during the 1980’s.
Russia, the USA, Netherlands/Belgium and Spain/Portugal have also launched bids to host the World Cup.
A FIFA delegation will decide where the 2018 and the 2022 World Cups will be held on 2 December.
However, the English Football Association believes that Blatter’s visit to England and his discussion with the English Prime Minister have put them in pole position to host the competition.
Blatter praised England and the nation’s contribution to football and said, "If only all the national associations in the world, and their leagues had stadiums like this, we would have more fair play in our game.”
He also hailed the contribution that England has made to football.
“England is the motherland of football. England has given so much to football, and England is going to carry on giving much to football,” added the FIFA president.
FIFA will discuss who will host the World Cup over the next month and of his visit Blatter said, “I will report to the executive committee when they meet at the end of October before the 2 December decision."
Tags: