England 2018 CEO Responds to Board Resignation

(WFI) England 2018 CEO Andy Anson attempts to soften the blow of Premier League chairman Dave Richard’s resignation from the board today, saying the bid continues to have the full support of the league.

Richard’s wrote to bid chair David Triesman on Tuesday announcing he would be standing down from the board, delivering another setback for the bid which has suffered a troubling few weeks.

“This was a personal decision by Sir Dave but he will continue to support the World Cup bid and use his wealth of international experience to support the campaign,” Anson said in a statement.

“He clearly remains committed to helping England win and he’ll continue to go around the world lobbying on our behalf.

“This is not a Premier League Issue. Sir Dave has made his own decision about his place on the board, so we’ve accepted his resignation and we move on."

Anson said he had spoken to the Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore and Manchester United CEO David Gill who are currently in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with former Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon. They have been meeting with Asian Football Confederation leaders. Anson said the delegation was not only working for the Premier League but also "supporting the bid".

“They are fully behind what we’re doing and it was encouraging to hear that being emphasized [in reports today]. They have done some excellent work on our behalf around Asia on their current trip so this is not an issue about the Premier League,” Anson added.

Anson tried to put a positive spin on another turbulent day for the bid.

“There is so much that’s good going on at the moment with Host City submissions this week and David Beckham supporting us in South Africa next week [FIFA draw for the 2010 World Cup],” he said.

“We have the support of fans across the country and we have to focus on moving forward with the bid and utilise the support of Sir Dave and many others to make this a successful campaign.”

Richards' departure is the latest hammer blow to England 2018's bid campaign. Recent criticism of Triesman's leadership style, concerns raised by FIFA vice president Jack Warner over a lack of diversity and star power on the board and rows over government funding for the bid effort have hurt the campaign.

Richards shock announcement
Richards resigned from the England 2018 board earlier Tuesday, saying his other roles provide plenty of opportunities to "bang the drum for English football and the bid".

"I feel I can now best support a successful bid without the necessity of sitting on the Board," said Richards. "My positions as Premier League chairman, FA board member and chairman of the FA's international committee provide me with ample opportunities to bang the drum for English football, and the bid particularly, right across the world, which I will continue to do wherever and whenever I can."

The shock move comes after the board was streamlined on Nov. 12, with six bid directors agreeing to step down.

Earlier today, Manchester United CEO David Gill, had claimed the 2018 bid was back on track following a revamp of the board that he claimed had dealt with concerns raised by FIFA executive committee member Jack Warner.

Richards' departure comes just a week before Simon Greenberg, Chelsea’s director of communications, takes up his role as England 2018's new chief of staff. From Dec. 1, he takes on responsibilities for campaign strategy and communications in the next 12 months of the bid campaign.

The other bids vying for the 2018 or 2022 World Cups are Australia, Holland-Belgium, Indonesia, Japan, Qatar, Russia, Spain-Portugal, South Korea and the U.S.

FIFA will select the hosts of both tournaments at its December 2010 executive committee meeting.

Written by Mark Bisson

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