Karren Brady raises fears World Cup bid for England "in turmoil"

Nov 26 2009 by Ben Goldby, Birmingham Post

Former Birmingham City managing director Karren Brady has raised fears that England’s 2018 World Cup bid is in turmoil.

Ms Brady, who was one of six members of the board which is organising the 2018 FIFA finals bid, said that internal politics and bickering had left the project in a poor state.

She was speaking just 24 hours after Premier League chairman Dave Richards, seen by many as a key figure in securing the lucrative soccer event for the English bid, resigned from the board.

“There’s been bickering, infighting and disruption. If everybody doesn’t pull together for the same aim, things won’t be achieved,” said the 40-year-old former Blues executive.

“We’ve got an excellent chance and an excellent technical bid. We’ve got some wonderful stadia in this country to host the most amazing World Cup.

“But internal politics can’t be seen to be getting in the way of that.

“I just hope that things can be resolved so that the really important thing, which is hosting the World Cup, is at the top of the agenda rather than the bottom.”

Birmingham’s bid to be a host city for the World Cup 2018 will be delivered to the FA at Wembley Stadium today by an official delegation that includes pupils from Hodge Hill Sports College and their ‘referee’, Birmingham businessman Simon Topman of Hudson & Co whose company produced the original Acme Thunderer whistles used by the referees at the World Cup 1966 matches in England. 

Football player Cyrille Regis, whose career has played for Coventry City and West Bromwich Albion, said: “Staging a world cup in Birmingham will leave a fantastic legacy for future generations.” 

Birmingham has been working on its application to the FA for the last five months putting together a comprehensive proposal that outlines its facilities and plans, it sporting heritage and its passion for football.