England 2018 Directors Cut By Half

The board of directors overseeing England’s 2018 World Cup bid has been reduced by nearly half, from 12 to seven, following an emergency meeting called in the wake of ongoing criticism of the campaign’s progress.

Ex-Football Association chairman Geoff Thompson has joined the new seven-man board, chaired by the incumbent FA chairman Lord Triesman.

Manchester United chief David Gill and ex-Birmingham director Karren Brady are among the six members to have stood down from the team.

Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe as well as London 2012 vice-chairman Sir Keith Mills, WPP chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell and Simon Johnson are the others.

The decision was unanimous and was an attempt to streamline the decision-making process.

The removed members will instead be part of an advisory group, to be led by Brady, which will advise the board.

The appointment of Thompson to the board is the crucial amendment as he is the only English member of the FIFA Executive Committee – the 24 men who vote on the World Cup hosts.

As well as Lord Triesman and Thompson, the new board will include Premier League chairman Dave Richards, Football League chairman Brian Mawhinney, London 2012 chairman Lord Coe, players’ representative Paul Elliott and chief executive Andy Anson.

The changes follow criticism of the leadership of Lord Triesman and the handling of a number of issues, including the gift of luxury handbags to the wives and partners of the 24 FIFA voters.

After the meeting Lord Triesman said: ‘In our view, these changes reflect a positive development and send a loud message of an absolute determination to bring the World Cup tournament to England.

‘We’ve got to a point where the England 2018 campaign requires focus, determination and where everybody involved has a specific purpose to help us win the bid.

‘England would stage a truly memorable World Cup. We are a football mad country, with some of the world’s best leagues, stadiums and above all fans.

‘The new board will provide focused leadership to the team and will work closely together to maximise England’s message to the world.

‘The new board is totally united in its commitment and I am looking forward immensely to working with my colleagues within this new set-up.’