‘Sporting bureaucrats in possible corruption’ shock
How easily can you be bought off? Tickets to the FA Cup Final? Sexual favours? How about a handbag? In the latest installment of the triumph that is the England 2018 World Cup bid, the FA have been criticised for bestowing handbags upon all 24 members of FIFA’s executive committee just for being members of FIFA’s executive committee.
Of course, the gifts served a higher purpose, that of representing the best of British handicraft, seemingly a vital element in any successful Jules Rimet bid. And at £230 a pop, one expects the handbags really do represent the high-end of British handicraft.
But don’t worry legal eagles, it’s all perfectly kosher. An England 2018 spokesman confirmed:
“FIFA have a set of guidelines for all bidders which includes direction on what constitutes an acceptable campaign gift. All our gifts are carefully chosen so as to be within both the spirit and letter of that law.”
Yet Shadow Culture Suit Hugh Robertson was less happy:
“I think it is a massive misjudgement particularly in the middle of an economic recession and a time when the bid is looking for public funds. In addition I think it’s very clumsy in public relations as it sends out entirely the wrong messages about England’s bid.”
In other positive news for the USA 2018 bid, Brian Deane has been named as one of the 50 official bid Ambassadors. The full list is after the jump…
More as we get it, but Notts County have issued a statement informing the world that they have sacked Ian McParland, for having the temerity to drop points at home to Torquay yesterday.
So many questions. Where does that leave Sven? Is it a much-mooted return for David Platt? And if so, how much closer to Meadow Lane would ex Forest boss Platt had to have worked for County directors to realise what a terrible manager he is?
Recent revelations about Sven’s ambivalence as to the source of the Notts County millions fits snugly with his attitude to life.
Sneaky Sven told the papers last week:
“No I haven’t met the people, I’ve only met representatives for the owners. But I’m sure that everything is all right. Money comes in and everything is good. Everything we are asking for, we get it. I don’t know where the money comes from and I think that’s the job of the chairman to find out. I’m not interested in that. The important thing is that the money comes.”
A friend of The Spoiler reminded us this week of the full time whistle in Shizuoka, just after Brazil had knocked out Sven’s England in the 2002 World Cup quarter finals. As the nation back home wailed in despair at a missed opportunity to face Turkey in the semis and then a timid Germany in the final, Sven was somewhat calmer. Placing one hand on the knee of assistant Steve McLaren and the other on Coach Les Reed’s lap, Sven pushed himself up from the dugout, shrugged and said, “Quarter Final. Losing to Brazil. I’ll take that. We can go home with our heads held high.”
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