FOOTBALL : Alan Shearer has defended the health of England’s 2018 World Cup Bid on the day 15 cities submitted their applications to become host venues of the event.
Alan Shearer has defended the health of England’s 2018 World Cup Bid on the day 15 cities submitted their applications to become host venues of the event.
England’s bid team are regrouping from a rocky period which has seen the departure of seven board members. And former board member Karren Brady has warned England’s bid was in danger of being seriously undermined by internal politics.
“There have been changes at the top, but I think people have looked at things, and how they could improve things, and I think that was only right that happened,” Shearer told Sky Sports News.
“But I still think we have an excellent bid overall in England, I think the right people are in charge of that and we’re all pretty confident.”
He added: “I was fortunate enough to play in a World Cup and play in a European Championship here on home soil in Euro 96.
“It was a fantastic atmosphere to play in. It will be all that and a hell of a lot more come 2018.”
The cities, which contain 21 stadiums, will be narrowed down to 10 cities and 12 to 18 stadiums on December 16 to form part of England’s candidate file to be submitted to FIFA in May. FIFA’s vote on the World Cup hosts takes place in early December 2010.
Magpies legend Shearer is naturally backing the Newcastle-Gateshead bid and believes St James’ Park would be a perfect venue for 2018.
“Whenever you speak to anyone about football, the first thing they’ll say to you about Newcastle is about the passion of the people,” he said.
“They turn up in their thousands week-in and week-out, despite being in the Championship an average attendance of 44,000 this year is just absolutely incredible.”
