Source: Daily_Mail
World Cup 2018: England suffer humiliation as bid fails
England was today humiliated in its dream of hosting the 2018 World Cup - with FIFA revealing the bid received only two of the 22 votes on offer. [LNB]Despite a slick presentation involving Prince William, Prime Minister David Cameron and David Beckham in Zurichthis morning, Russia were selected as hosts by FIFA's executive committee members.[LNB]The 2022 finals will be held in Qatar despite huge criticisms of their bid and a less-than-impressive technical report from FIFA inspectors.[LNB] Enlarge Moment of truth: FIFA president Sepp Blatter reveals Russia as the host of the 2018 World Cup[LNB] [LNB]Enlarge Gutted: Bid chief Andy Anson reacts to the news[LNB]England started the day as bookmakers' favourites but were instead knocked out in the first round of voting - behind a joint bid from Holland and Belgium that had been seen as the rank outsider.[LNB]With bid chairman Geoff Thompson one of the executive committee members choosing hosts for 2018 and 2022, England attracted only one other supporter despite intense lobbying.[LNB]Thompson, formerly the FA chairman for eight years, said promises to England had been broken.[LNB]'I cannot believe what has happened, and I am naturally very, very disappointed,' he said. 'The votes that were promised clearly didn't materialise. I never imagined we would go out in the first round.'[LNB]England bid vice-president Beckham said: 'I think the bid team have done everything possible, we couldn't have got a better bid.[LNB]'We're disappointed but we wish Qatarand Russia the very best, they're two great countries and I'm sure they'll make FIFA very proud.[LNB]'It'sobviously hard to not come away with the World Cup in 2018 but a lot ofcongratulations have to go to the team, a lot of hard work has been done.[LNB]'It would be great to bring the World Cup to our country because we've not had it for so many years.'[LNB] Enlarge Victory: Russia's delegation celebrates being named as 2018 hosts[LNB] [LNB]England had gone into the vote on a high after a last push by their high-profile delegation, thoughthere had been fears that British media scrutiny into FIFA officials could damage their chances.[LNB]The number of those voting had been shorn from 24 to 22 after a Sunday Times investigationaccused two FIFA members of offering to sell their votes, while BBC's Panorama documentary was accused of further antagonising world football's powerbrokers.[LNB]RussianPrime Minister stayed away from the vote after critising Cameron's lobbying and the media spotlight on FIFA - and his approach may have struck a chord with the voters. [LNB]Putinwas this evening flying to Zurich to celebrate his country's success with a bid team that includes Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and Arsenalforward Andrey Arshavin.[LNB] Game over: Bid cheerleaders (from left) David Dein, Prince William and David Beckham hear news of defeat[LNB][LNB]England were not the only disappointed party, with joint bids from Spain/Portugal and Holland/Belgium also defeated.[LNB]n the first round of voting, Holland/Belgium secured four votes, Spain/Portugal seven and Russia nine. Russia then won an outright majority in the second round of voting. In the 2022 contest, Qatar beat the USA in the final round of voting.[LNB]Handedthe World Cup by Blatter, Russian deputy prime minister Igor Shuvalov celebrated, saying: 'You have entrusted us with the FIFA World Cup for 2018 and I can promise, we all can promise, you will never regret it. Let us make history together.'[LNB]His mood was in obvious contrast to the vast number of famous faces who had pushed England's over the last few days, months and years.[LNB] We did it: A sports bar in Moscow erupts at news of Russia's victory[LNB] [LNB] Contrast: England fans show their disappointment on learning that football isn't coming home[LNB] [LNB]Tsar quality: Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich looks delighted after the announcement[LNB][LNB][LNB]Gary Lineker, whose tally of 48 international goals is the second-highest in England's history, said: 'They've always said they want to push the frontiers - I was surprised they went with two new ones but there were a lot of good strong bids.[LNB]'It was always going to be hugely competitive, I just wish it was us.'[LNB]Former England skipper Alan Shearer added: 'I don't think anyone could have done any more, everyone's workedvery, very hard but at the end of the day it's not been successful. If you try your best at least you can sleep at night.[LNB]'I was hoping I might see a World Cup in my lifetime in England. I wasn't born the last time we had one in '66.[LNB]'It's unfortunate, it's sad, it hurts, but you have to congratulate the winners and Russia have been winners today - and Qatar - so well done to those guys, I'm sure they'veworked very hard, but it's disappointing from my point of view.[LNB]'Everyone was really happy and reallyconfident with the bid that we put in, we don't feel as though we couldhave done any more.'[LNB]Responding to speculation England had exited the vote in the first round, Lord Coe added: 'I'm not so surprised by anything in sport.[LNB]'Thoseare the vagaries, until we get a better understanding where the votes fell and those things we must wait. Plates can smash in odd places and in odd ways in the opening rounds.[LNB]'I'm a football fan, I was basically looking forward to taking my kids to the World Cup.'[LNB]In a very 21st-century response, Russian president Dmitri Medvedev used Twitter to tell the world: 'Hurrah! Victory! We're hosting the 2018 championship![LNB] New frontier: The World Cup trophy is handed to Qatar's Sheika Mozah bint Nasser al-Misned as the emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani (left) applauds, following Blatter's announcement that the Asian state would host the 2022 finals[LNB] [LNB]Before leaving for a flight to Zurich, Putin said: 'This decision shows that Russia is trusted.[LNB]The day had started with Prince William spearheading England's final attempts to land the World Cup.[LNB]The future King of England delivered a strongspeech as the bid team produced an impressive final presentation on themorning of today's key vote.[LNB]ManchesterCity social inclusion manager Eddie Afekafe kicked off the presentationat 10am by explaining how the game had changed his life after tough beginnings.[LNB]He then handed over to the Prince, who outlined his passion for the game and the benefits it would bring to the country.[LNB]PrimeMinister David Cameron was up next with a rousing speech about how the World Cup would prompt England to deliver huge changes for fans around the world.[LNB]Bid chief executive Andy Anson followed Cameron to assure voters that England will be ready to host theperfect finals.[LNB] Final push: Prince William arrives with David Beckham for the final presentations in Zurich[LNB][LNB]His speechincluded a specially prepared video featuring Premier League bosses SirAlex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Redknapp and Roberto Mancini, plus Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, describing their excitement at the prospect of hosting the finals.[LNB]David Beckham was the final member ofthe five-man bid presentation team to take to the stage in Zurich. He said England wanted to 'stage a World Cup that would make you truly proud'.[LNB]William told FIFA members: 'I love football, we English love football and it would be an honour for us to host the World Cup.'[LNB]The prince, who was applauded by the 22-man executive committee before the presentation also stressed that England were committed to developing football internationally.[LNB]Thepresentation opened with Afekafe, a bid ambassador who works with Manchester City on their community programmes, explaining how football had changed his life.[LNB]Williambuilt on that, saying: 'What Eddie represents is a credit to FIFA because it's your game that transformed his life. England 2018 and FIFA together have the opportunity to create thousands of more opportunities for people like Eddie.[LNB]VIDEO: Prince William reacts to 2018 defeat...'I also give you an assurance that England is committed to developing football internationally as a member of your football family.'[LNB]William also referred to his forthcoming marriage to Kate Middleton, saying: 'We can deliver extraordinary public occasions - I certainly hope as I'm planning quite abig one myself next year. It will be truly a FIFA World Cup for the world.'[LNB]In his speech, Cameron promised England would lay on 'the most spectacular World Cup inhistory'.[LNB]He said fansfrom all over the world would feel at home in England's diverse cities.He pointed out that many of the world's biggest stars play in the English Premier League, which is watched all over the world.[LNB]Cameron said: 'We want to convince you of one thing only today, that we have the passion and the expertise to put on what we believe would be the most spectacular World Cup in history. There is the most incredible support for the World Cup back in England.[LNB] Big day: David Cameron sweeps into FIFA HQ ahead of the crunch presentation[LNB]'The future King of England is right behind it, every club from the highest Premier League club to the lowest village team is backing this bid.'[LNB]Cameron said England's bid would deliver for players, fans and FIFA.[LNB]Headded: 'The players know they would be training in some of the best facilities available anywhere in the world and playing in stadiums that are some of the best world, always packed to the rafters.[LNB]'Thefans would be safe as we have some the finest police in the world, we have great transport links between our cities, and most of all they willfeel at home in England. Any nationality, any religion, any background and I can bet you we have these communities in England.[LNB]'Just imagine what a World Cup in England could be like - every day would be a beautiful day.'[LNB]In a presentation described by FIFA president Sepp Blatter as 'excellent and remarkable', Beckham drew on memories of his grandad Joe who died a year ago today, just before he took part in the South African World Cup draw in Cape Town.[LNB] All smiles: Eddie Afekafe (left) and Andy Anson arrive for England's last-ditch bid for more votes[LNB]Beckham said: 'My life in football began with my grandad Joe. I've played on every continent and I'm proud to have been part of the success that English football has enjoyed over the past 20 years.[LNB]'I could never have imagined that FIFA would have invited me to take part in the World Cup draw. A year ago today my grandad died, the day before the draw. Now I want to do something that will make my grandad proud.[LNB]'NowI want to do more. That's why I am here and why everyone from the PrimeMinister to Prince William to Eddie is here today. The benefits will befelt over generations and your vote can make this happen.[LNB]'To create a better future for our grandchildren and many millions more, just imagine what we can achieve together.[LNB] Star appeal: David Beckham (above) and David Cameron (below) on stage during the presentation[LNB] [LNB] 'Our dream is to stage a World Cup that benefits billions, that makes you, your grandchildren and everyone in football truly proud.'[LNB]Afekafe had opened the presentation in a powerful performance by telling the FIFA members how football had 'changed my life'.[LNB]He said: 'I grew up in one of the roughest parts of Manchester, most of the guys I grew up with were in gangs - some still are, some are in prison. What they didn't get but I got was an opportunity - and that was through football.'[LNB]Blatter had given England's bid delegation a warm welcome, saying: 'It's a privilege of FIFA to have Prince William of Wales here, but he's also the president of the FA and therefore a colleague of the 207 presidents of the other associations of FIFA.'[LNB]The 2022 hosts Qatar beat bids from Australia, the United States and 2004 World Cup co-hosts Japan and South Korea.[LNB]The Asian country's staging of the tournament had come in for some criticism because of the weather in the country during June and July - when temperatures can rise as high as 50 degrees Celsius - while the close proximity of the stadiums had also raised some questions.[LNB] Royal approval: Prince William delivers his plea to FIFA members after being introduced by Eddie Afekafe[LNB] [LNB] LIVE: World Cup 2018 vote... rolling updates as England awaits verdict on bid for finalsSo why did England fail in their bid to bring home the World Cup in 2018?World Cup heads to new territory in 2022 with Qatar awarded finalsMichael Henderson: If Lineker is a man of principle, why won't he quit Beeb?Blog: Russia wins - so who fancies a quick city break?[LNB] Explore more:People: Alex Ferguson, Kate Middleton, David Beckham, Sepp Blatter, Gary Lineker, Arsene Wenger, David Cameron, Andrey Arshavin, Roman Abramovich, Roberto Mancini, Alan Shearer, Steven Gerrard, David Dein, Geoff Thompson Places: Liverpool, Manchester, Cape Town, South Korea, Australia, Portugal, Wales, Spain, Qatar, The Netherlands, Japan, United Kingdom, Belgium, Russia Organisations: English Premier League
