England told not to bother bidding for World Cup in the future
England and Australia are calling for a reform of the World Cup voting process after both failed in their bids to host forthcoming tournaments.
England crashed out of the first round after collecting just two votes to stage the 2018 World Cup and Australia also failed to make it into the second round of the selection process for the 2022 World Cup.
Both countries had received the best FIFA evaluation reports and yet the 2018 tournament went to Russia and the 2022 will be held in Qatar.
Following England’s defeat, chief executive of the England 2018 bid Andy Anson said it was pointless the country bidding to host future World Cups unless there were extensive changes to the voting process.
Speaking to the BBC after England’s dismal defeat, Anson said he was furious that some of the FIFA executive committee members that had promised to back England’s bid had changed their minds at the last minute.
Only 22 of FIFA’s 208 national football associations were included in the secret ballot. Anson said it should be open to all member associations and he called for transparency in the voting process.
FIFA’s decision to pick Qatar for the 2022 World Cup ahead of the United States, Japan, South Korea and Australia, also produced a backlash from Football Federation of Australia board member Ron Walker.
Walker, who is also the chairman of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation, quoted by Fairfax Media, said he was "absolutely amazed" to learn Qatar had won the right to host the 2022 World Cup.
"I think it’s time this whole process was reformed," he said.
"In my view it’s time to end the authority of the voting members and put it in the hands of an independent committee, such as drawn from the judiciary in say 20 countries.
“Incorruptible people that will look at the facts and look at the politics of the sport and make a sensible decision."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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