Bidding for the World Cup - Criticism of Portugal; U.S. on economic impacts; England promotes diversity

(WFI) Portuguese politicians have reacted angrily to the news their country will play second fiddle to Spain in a joint Iberian bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

Last week Portuguese Football Association (FPF) president Gilberto Madail revealed his country would be a junior partner in the bid to co-host the 2018 finals with Spain.

Just three stadiums – two in Lisbon, one in Oporto – would be contributed by Portugal, which emphasized the cost-effectiveness of its contribution following major investment made prior to the UEFA 2004 European Championships

But Portugal’s diminished role has met consternation within the country, particularly the decision to omit the cities of Faro and Braga.

“We are the main tourist port in the country and it seems unthinkable to delete the Algarve," Macario Correia, Mayor of Faro, told Lisbon daily newspaper Diario de Noticias.

He called on the FPF to enlarge the Algarve Stadium by 12,000 seats and include it in the bid. "You can make this investment and allow the Algarve an infrastructure worthy of great events,” he was quoted as saying.

The social democrat politician José Luís Arnault, who as a government minister earlier in the decade was responsible for the organization of Euro 2004, warned in an interview with state broadcaster RTP that Portugal risked appearing a “satellite” of Spain.

“In 2004, Japan appeared as a satellite country against Korea,” he said. “We have to guard against this, I am confident that our sports officials know take [notice of] that situation. This application must be an application where Portugal appear side by side with Spain."

Arnault hinted that the vast costs incurred in preparing for the European Championships may have made the FPF and current government reticent to commit more funds at a time of financial recession.

But he said that the time was now right to take advantage of existing investments. "Euro 2004 was a commitment that we took to the end with great success, but costs were too large for the size of our economy,” he said. “It's done, now we need to monetize it."

Arnault’s views were echoed by Portuguese deputy, Miranda Calha. "Euro 2004 was the spark that the country needed to renew infrastructure,” he said. “Today we have stadiums and sports' facilities and we can take advantage of them, co-organizing a World Cup. We have to maximize this investment."

The joint Portugal/Spain bid is up against competition from Australia, England, Indonesia, Japan, Netherlands-Belgium, Russia, U.S for the right to stage the 2018 or 2022 World Cups. Qatar and South Korea are the only bidding to host the 2022 edition.

Bid books must be submitted to FIFA by May 14. FIFA's Executive Committee will study the bids, conduct site visits and name the hosts for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments on December 2, 2010.

Economic impacts of a U.S. World Cup
The U.S. World Cup bid has released research showing that hosting the 2018 or 2022 FIFA tournament could boost the country’s economy to the tune of $5 billion.

The study undertaken by AECOM, a leading sports and entertainment consultancy, also estimates that between 65,000 and 100,000 new jobs would be created in host cities during the preparation and operation of a FIFA World Cup in the year of the event.

The findings reveal the total economic impact projected for any one host city ranges from $400-600 million. That figure is based on 12 host cities staging five to six matches, along with ancillary venues such as the International Broadcast Center (IBC) in one city and FIFA Fan Fest(tm) in each city.

"The numbers delivered by this study fully support our initial estimations," said David Downs, the U.S. bid’s executive director.

"While the economic impact to our country and our cities during the World Cup will be of vast significance, our goal is to have an even greater impact during the eight to 12 years leading up to the event that will stimulate the development of the game and the soccer economy, both at national and international levels."

A list of the finalist cities and stadiums vying to be included in the U.S. bid committee's formal bid book to FIFA on May 14 can be found on the bid's official web page, goUSAbid.com.

A number of U.S. markets that did not host matches during the 1994 World Cup are under consideration, including Philadelphia, Cleveland, St. Louis, Denver, Seattle and Miami. The 27 remaining candidate cities include 32 stadia averaging nearly 78,000 seats in capacity. All stadia currently exist or are under construction with eight accommodating between 80,000 and 108,000 fans.

FIFA requires a candidate host nation to provide a minimum of 12 stadia and a maximum of 18 capable of seating 40,000 or more spectators. For the opening and final matches, stadiums must have a minimum capacity of 80,000. The U.S. used stadiums in nine cities when it hosted the 1994 World Cup.

England 2018 promotes diversity in bid
The England World Cup bid on Wednesday appointed 11 specialists to a new Inclusivity Advisory Group.

The group is charged with ensuring the England 2018 bid demonstrates that a World Cup would celebrate diversity and promote inclusivity of all members of society.

It will be chaired by non-executive board member Paul Elliott, whose former clubs include Chelsea and Celtic. Elliott is already an ambassador for Football Against Racism in Europe and Kick It Out, the campaign to eradicate racism from football.

News of the panel’s formation comes in the wake of recent criticism by FIFA vice president Jack Warner over a lack of diversity on England’s bid team.

England 2018 bid chairman David Triesman said: “An England World Cup is uniquely positioned to provide the passion and diversity that guarantees a genuine welcome to visitors from across the world.

“The Inclusivity Advisory Group has been established to ensure we maximize all the attributes we have at our disposal, and that we are planning a World Cup that embraces and celebrates our diverse communities, and considers their various needs.”

Triesman insisted the new panel strengthened England 2018’s commitment to inclusivity throughout the bid process. “We are determined to prove that England 2018’s bid is focused on ensuring that all our communities in every part of the country are involved,” he added.

With reporting from James Corbett and Mark Bisson

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