Source: Daily_Mail
Charles Sale: Russia deny 2018 World Cup bung allegations
World Cup bidders Russia, who have emerged as favourites to host the2018 tournament, strongly reject bung allegations being made about themas the dirty-trick conspiracies begin.[LNB]Russia and Qatar, the most visible of the campaigning countries atthe Manchester Soccerex summit yesterday, have been under attack withunsubstantiated claims from rivals that Qatar's budget, believed to be$180million, could buy them the 2022 World Cup, while Russia would bethe first in the queue handing out 2018 brown envelopes to FIFA'svoting executive committee.[LNB]Consultancy role: Abramovich[LNB]Russia's 2018 operations director Alexander Djordjadze, whose£60,000 spend for their central exhibition space at Soccerex wasexceeded only by Qatar's even grander unit, said: 'No amount of moneyis enough to deliver a World Cup.' [LNB] More from Charles Sale... CHARLES SALE: Fabio Capello is spared a Frosty inquisition 01/03/10 CHARLES SALE: London 2012 medals will be 'made in China'28/02/10 CHARLES SALE: Ferguson must talk, even to the BBC next season26/02/10 CHARLES SALE: Chelsea go undercover in search for new ground25/02/10 CHARLES SALE: TV rivals close to World Cup deal 24/02/10 Charles Sale: Sir John Walker is called to unravel the Notts County set23/02/10 CHARLES SALE: Alan Curbishley case strikes new Hammer blow to West Ham23/02/10 Charles Sale Sports Agenda: Keep off the pitch, all except Capello22/02/10 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE Russia's communications chief Andreas Herren added: 'The World Cupis the future of FIFA; they will pick their venue for all the rightreasons. They want to get it right for their own reputation and I don'twant to mobilise ridiculous rumours by commenting on them.'[LNB]Russia also expect their campaign to be strengthened by Chelseaowner Roman Abramovich officially becoming part of their bid team in agovernment consultancy role.[LNB]Qatar claim their campaigning success has led to highly exaggeratedfigures about spending. Rivals put their funding for exclusive accessto the recent African football congress at $3m, while Qatar say thefigure was $2m. [LNB]Either way, that contrasts with the £25,000 spent byEngland 2018 on hosting a reception at Manchester Town Hall last night.[LNB] [LNB]Students on the world's first football MBA course at the University of Liverpool were recently given a lecture by Manchester City gaffe-prone chief executive Garry Cook (pictured). [LNB]The former Nike executive devised the branding strategy for basketball legend Michael Jordan, but is now best known for a catalogue of crass remarks. Yet he apparently impressed wannabe football administrators on how his US business background was relevant to modern-day football.[LNB] [LNB]David Gill, chief executive of Manchester United, wasn't his usual urbane self yesterday when he called a journalist's question about the club's ownership 'disrespectful' just because it was asked at a press conference staged by the European Club Association. [LNB]Gill should be used to juggling different interests due to his involvement with the FA board, FA Council, Premier League, United, ECA and England 2018 advisory board. Perhaps running United for the Glazer family while having close friendships with two of the Red Knights stalking the club is causing tension. [LNB]United, meanwhile, were approached about buying an Indian Premier League cricket franchise but declined.[LNB] [LNB]Staff at the Bafokeng sports campus where England will be based at the World Cup know how excitable FA security chief Ray Whitworth can be. [LNB]This follows Ray's meltdown when he discovered a resourceful press pack looking around the unfinished grounds before a coaches workshop in Sun City. [LNB]Bafokeng's laidback employees watched with amusement as furious Whitworth interrupted his coffee at the hotel swimming pool to chase away hacks.[LNB] [LNB]Cheryl's Sun blockAshley Cole's estranged wife, Cheryl, won't be anywhere near South Africa during the World Cup after her marriage break-up. [LNB]Yet before Ashley's infidelities were revealed, the X Factor judge was leading the charge of WAGs heading for Sun City near England's training camp. [LNB]Cheryl's people were having negotiations with official travel partners Thomas Cook Sport, who at least have a booking from Matthew Upson's family. [LNB]The West Ham defender could secure his place when he starts for England against Egypt tonight.[LNB] [LNB]A sign that Sky Sports and ESPN have a cosy relationship was Sky's Carling Cup final programme starting just 15 minutes before kick-off, which allowed ESPN no distraction during their Premier League coverage of Spurs v Everton. Sky normally have an hour's preview of their live matches.[LNB] [LNB]
