BECKHAM CAN WIN US THE WORLD CUP
DAVID BECKHAM can be a World Cup winner for England next year.
Not on the playing fields of South Africa, but around FIFA's political poker tables when they're deciding who gets the 2018 tournament.
England have a far better chance of winning the World Cup next summer if Beckham is NOT a major distraction among an otherwise focused squad.
But such is Beckham's global kudos and wonderful down-to-earth persona, he can make his greatest ever contribution to England by helping his country win the 2018 bid.
As it stands, England's bid is sleepwalking to defeat.
A track-suited Beckham as an ambassador with pin-striped Gary Lineker as titular head - aided, of course, by a few savvy strategists, could yet turn the bid around.
Think Seb Coe. In the early days of the 2012 Olympic campaign, London was way behind in the race when poor politicians were running the show.
Then an over- promoted politico called Barbara Cassani fell on her sword and Coe and background bureaucrats he trusted took over.
The FA's chairman Lord Triesman, who has greedily taken on a top role for the World Cup bid, must follow suit.
Germany staged the 2006 Cup because of Franz Beckenbaur's leadership just as Coe got London the Olympics. Pele has made sure Brazil got both big events. Well, he is Pele.
Sir Bobby Charlton is getting a bit tired for all the travelling and sadly Bobby Moore is no longer with us, so it seems Lineker and Beckham are the best men to turn the tide.
Ridiculous
Assuming Australia's bid is beaten down, the 2018 World Cup goes to Europe. Given that FIFA president Sepp Blatter met with Vladimir Putin last week, I think renaissance Russia are in pole position with Spain second and England a distant third.
Ridiculous, really, given that England has the best stadia and infrastructure.
I am told many of the people who decide these things don't like the smarmy way England's bid has gone so far. The message that is particularly disliked is that it's our God-given gift to host the event, not helped by crass publicity stunts involving Wallace and Gromit. What next? Ant and Dec?
I am told that unless there is a 'Cassani moment' and certain big wigs leave, the bid will be blown out of the water.
What an own goal that would be. We should all embrace and back the bid and do what is required to win it.
If Lineker can get time off from TV and Beckham accepts his iconic status is now more as a politician than a player, then England can still do it.
And if Becks pulls it off, it would better than that last-gasp free kick against Greece.
This article has 2 comments
beckham is the best....
no regret 2 say that...
it is a BIG LOSS if capello don't bring him to the world cup
By ryan k. Posted October 23 2009 at 2:44 PM.
He's gotta be taken to the world cup, he adds unbelievable amout of expierence to the team, and okay he shouldn't have got the motm award .. but in fairness he DID change that belerus game!!!
By Luke. Posted October 18 2009 at 12:00 AM.