Aussie chief throws riches at World Cup bid: report

Billionaire football chief Frank Lowy has taken his luxury yacht to the Bahamas to lobby for support from FIFA’s executive for Australia’s bid to stage the 2018 or 2022 World Cups, reports said Saturday.

The Football Federation Australia (FFA) chairman, listed as the country’s second-richest man, has reportedly dug into his own deep pockets to boost the nation’s chances to host the football showpiece.

England are favourites to win the 2018 hosting rights, but Australia, who successfully staged the 2000 Sydney Olympics, are also seen as strong contenders, along with Russia and the joint Spain/Portugal ticket.

Lowy, a retail property tycoon, is targeting decision-makers from FIFA, world football’s governing body, and along with FFA chief executive Ben Buckley has held a series of one-on-one meetings in the lead-up to next week’s FIFA Congress in Nassau, reports said.

“Not for Australia’s bid team the awkward formality of hotel meeting rooms,” Melbourne’s Age newspaper said.

“Lowy has brought along his alternative — the 74-metre luxury yacht Ilona and worth a reported 110 million dollars (85 million US).

“It is a trip funded out of his own deep pockets and not from the 47 million dollars allocated by the Australian government to fund the bid.”

Australia will officially launch its bid to host the World Cup in Canberra on June 14.

The full Socceroos squad, at home for two Asian World Cup qualifiers, will be on show, and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will also be taking part.

A promotional campaign would be launched encouraging all Australians to support the bid, reports said.

The 24 members of the FIFA executive will vote in December to award the hosting rights for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.