International stars back England’s World Cup bid
ENGLAND’S 2018 World Cup bid team has emphasised its multicultural credentials by employing an array of foreign stars such as Kolo Toure and Gianfranco Zola as ambassadors.
Ivory Coast defender Toure, who captains Manchester City, and Italian West Ham manager Zola will canvass support at home and abroad and appear in promotional materials.
Nigerian former Arsenal and Portsmouth striker Nwankwo Kanu, Argentinian ex-Tottenham pair Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa, and Paraguayan City forward Roque Santa Cruz are also on the list of ambassadors. Yesterday’s announcement came after Jack Warner, vice-president of world governing body Fifa, dubbed England’s bid ‘lightweight’.
Football Association chairman Lord Triesman said one of England’s main selling points was its diversity. Spain, thought to be the main rivals, has witnessed a series of racist incidents at high-profile sporting occasions.
“Because of England’s diversity and integration, players from every nation enjoy a home from home welcome,” Triesman said.
“They are able to point out, because we faced our demons in the past, that in England you can play your football without racial abuse and that’s not true everywhere.”