David Beckham delivers England's bid to FIFA
England Star David Beckham landed in Zurich on Friday to hand over England's 2018 World Cup bid book to FIFA with the message "football runs through our veins".
At a ceremony at FIFA headquarters, Beckham spoke of the "passion and emotion" England could bring to the tournament as he led a five-strong delegation to Switzerland.
"I'm here on behalf of our fans," said Beckham. "Football runs through our veins. We are all brought up on it. It's truly an honour to be here. On behalf of our team, the delegation and our fans, we present you with our bid book."
In thanking the English delegation - second among the nine candidates to present their dossiers - FIFA president Sepp Blatter referred to England as the "motherland" of football and disclosed he had already spoken to Prime Minister David Cameron who had personally endorsed the bid.
"Yesterday I received a phone call from the new Prime Minister. Not only did he express his determination to be behind the bid but he is also behind the World Cup in 2010," said Blatter.
The final vote will be taken by FIFA's executive committee on December 2. It is expected that 2018 will go to Europe, where Russia plus joint bids by Spain/Portugal and Holland/Belgium are up against England. The other countries expected to fight it out for 2022 are Australia, United States, Qatar, Korea and Japan.
Speaking to journalists after the presentation Beckham confirmed he had been approached by manager Fabio Capello with regard to playing a part for England at this summer.
Beckham's hopes of playing at a fourth World Cup were dashed when he picked up a serious Achilles injury playing for Milan earlier in the season.
The midfielder is well into his recovery programme and although not fit enough to play, is able to take part in training - leading to suggestions he could figure in a coaching capacity in South Africa.
Beckham has not discussed details of his role with Capello, but the door is ajar for him to lend a hand to England's bid for glory.
"I have been offered a role to be with the squad and the team," Beckham said. " I have not sat down with the manager and Franco Baldini yet to discuss my actual role, but they have made it clear they would love me to be there.
"Everybody knows with Fabio Capello and his staff you are there for a reason, you are not there just to enjoy the competition - you are there to help the team be successful. I am honoured to have that.
source: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/
