The Sunday Times undercover report about vote selling ahead of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup decision (which I can't link you to due to their ridiculous pay wall, so here's the BBC report) has, according to one FIFA source "significantly harmed" England's bid for the 2018 World Cup.
Firstly, it would be foolish to claim there aren't significant problems with the British press, especially in relation to footballs ever increasing celebrity culture. But, despite this, England is by far and away the best choice for hosting the 2018 World Cup. FIFA need to get over themselves and recognise this.
England could quite easily host the tournament tomorrow. The stadiums, the fans and the transport links are, more or less, already there. During their visit earlier in the year, FIFA only raised concerns over accommodation. Eight years to build a few new hotels and improve transport links is well within England's ability, especially as accommodation and transport in the capital will be improved as part of the 2012 Olympics.
In addition, England has taken great strides in recent years to get rid of the problems that troubled the game for so long. Cases of hooliganism, racism and other fan troubles have dropped drastically due to measures taken by the FA to get the game back to how it should be. This years World Cup in South Africa perfectly illustrates how the reputation of the English supporters has changed from drunken, violent yobs to well behaved, pleasant tourists (who are, admittedly, still drunk).
Compare that to Spain (bidding to co-host with Portugal), current European and World Champions and one of England's rivals for the 2018 World Cup. Spain, like England, has the infrastructure in place to host a World Cup tomorrow. However, there is still a massive problem there with racism. How will the African nations in particular cope with barrages of monkey chants being hurled their way, as players such as Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry endured during their career there? Do we want a World Cup where such repulsive, base levels of decency are encountered in the stands?
And then there is Russia, the other major rival to England's bid. Russia, unlike Spain and England, would be unlikely to be able to host a tournament of the World Cup's scale tomorrow. It would require the eight years in which to get ready and, like Spain, still has troubles with its fans.
Make no mistake, I'm not claiming that English football is entirely free of its demons. Far from it. To do so would be naive. What I am saying is that England, while not perfect, has recognised the flaws with its game and striven to make amends.
Can the same be said of Spain and Russia?
