Spain and Portugal get South America’s vote
Spain and Portugal have secured the votes of the South American continent for the 2018 FIFA world cup. It was believed the three votes South America holds in the 22 member executive committee will go to the Spain/Portugal bid. It was made official by CONMEBOL
general secretary Eduardo Deluca that the continent’s vote will go to Spain and Portugal.
South America holds its three votes in the executive group through Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. The decision was reached after a meeting held in the Paraguain capital Asuncion by CONMEBOL. "The 10 countries are agreed to give the vote to Spain," said
Eduardo Deluca. Spain and Portugal are competing with Netherland and Belgiam, Russia and England.
Spain and Portugal world cup bid chief executive Miguel Angel Lopez has expressed confidence in their bid. He has claimed they have already secured 8 to 10 votes from the 22 available votes and are well and truly on their way to winning the bid. Lopez is
trying to bring Spain’s world cup winning captain Iker Casillas, Portuguese maestro Ronaldo and Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho to Zurich in an attempt to lobby some votes in the final crucial hours. Lopez however earlier dismissed that England’s attempt
to lobby through David Beckham, David Cameroon and Prince William will pay any dividends.
Spain and Portugal might be cautioned due to the joint venture nature of the bid. FIFA have already expressed their concerns over this matter in the report produced by their inspectors. In 2006, South Korea and Japan hosted a successful world cup, Spain
and Portugal will be hoping that will play in their favor. However, the problems UEFA is facing with Poland and Ukraine, Euro 2012 hosts, might raise FIFA’s concern.
England was seen as the favorites to win the bid when they decided to enter the running. England’s bid however has suffered a few setbacks along the way. Sunday times’ bribery allegations on 2 FIFA executive members raised eyebrows amongst FIFA members towards
the attitude of English press towards the world’s governing football body. After an inquiry conducted by FIFA the 2 disgraced members, Amos Adamu of Nigeria and Rynald Temaii from Tahiti, were banned. In addition to that, England’s bid will be further hampered
by the Panorama Documentary which investigates corruption within FIFA. The documentary is set to be aired on Monday, just a few days before votes are to be casted on the bids.
England’s bid team is continuing their attempts to stop BBC from broadcasting the show as it might have disastrous effects on England’s hopes of winning the bid. England’s 2018 chief Andy Anson has deemed the BBC "unpatriotic" and "sensationalist".
Spain and Portugal’s bid is not surrounded by any such controversies but they too have to shake off some scares. Even though FIFA’s report has given them a ‘low risk’ rating, concerns have been shown over security. Netherlands and Belgiam report has also
pointed out potential security issues.
Spain and Portugal have a realistic chance of winning the bid but will face a stern challenge from Russia and England. Netherlands and Belgiam are not expected to cash in many votes. Spain has acknowledged Russia as their main threat but it is inevitable
that England will be amongst the front runners to win the bid. In the aftermath of a tie, Fifa president Sepp Blatter will have a casting vote.
FIFA’s 22 member executive committee (reduced to 22 from 24 after the suspension of 2 members) will cast its votes on the 2nd of December in Zurich.
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