Beckham Fronts England 2018 Talks With Fifa

The England 2018 bid team have pushed David Beckham to the fore in its ongoing meetings with the football hierarchy in South Africa this week with the former England captain holding talks with both FIFA president Sepp Blatter and outspoken vice-president Jack Warner.

England’s bid to host the 2018 World Cup has come under severe pressure in recent weeks with Warner among a number of critics as to the campaign’s progress.

The bid has moved to answer such criticism by restructuring its board, reducing the number of directors from 12 to 6, and has now put Beckham at the front of its campaigning.

With all the leading FIFA executives in Cape Town ahead of the 2010 World Cup draw, Beckham and Football Association chairman Lord Triesman met Blatter and Warner as the lobbying process moved up a level.

The approach seems to be already paying dividends with Warner performing a U-turn on England’s chances by stating earlier this week that it was England’s ‘turn’ to host the tournament.

Beckham is also due to be one of the main attractions during the 2010 World Cup draw, but his participation is in doubt after the death of his grandfather Joseph West who passed away this week.

Of his meeting with Blatter, Beckham stated: ‘It was a very relaxed, light-hearted conversation and it was good to speak to him.

‘Mr Blatter is not just the FIFA president and a powerful man in football, but he’s a very, very good person as well, which is more important.

‘When I was last here with England I had the honour of meeting Nelson Mandela. That was the highlight of my career. To meet such a great man and a strong man and such a passionate man about sport and life will always stay with me.’

Triesman is hoping Beckham’s charisma and global media profile will add some glitz to England’s 2018 bid.

‘We have had some excellent meetings and David was hugely impressive in those meetings.

‘It is clear that legacy is central to the hopes of FIFA and any successful bid. This area is one of David’s great passions and will be integral to our bid.’