England W.Cup 2018 bid chiefs warned to step up

England’s World Cup bid chiefs have been told their attempt to win the right to host the 2018 tournament is spluttering to towards failure, according to a report in the Times on Wednesday.

After starting the bidding process as favourites ahead of Russia, Australia and the joint-venture by Spain and Portugal, England’s 2018 campaign has hit choppy waters in recent weeks.

England’s bid has been severely criticised by Jack Warner, one of FIFA’s executive committee members, and Lord Triesman, the English bid chairman, has come under pressure over his inability to devote more than two days a week to his role.

It is believed that Warner’s influence is likely to result in “at least another two votes and probably more like another three or four votes” being lost, according to the Times.

England’s bid is also said to be suffering from a lack of financial investment, with the Government’s pledge of five million pounds (5.5 million euros) in direct funding having been cut to a conditional loan of 2.5 million pounds (2.7 million euros).

Lord Coe, the double Olympic gold medal-winner, was appointed by the England bid team as a non-executive director to use his political influence to ensure that England enjoyed the kind of successful campaign run by London to host the 2012 Olympic Games.

But the Times reports that Coe has told Triesman that, no matter what the strengths of the bid in terms of world-class stadiums and a commitment to a strong legacy, it will be lost unless he is capable of demonstrating stronger leadership.

The Times says Triesman’s position is not under threat before the next board meeting on November 24, but his authority has reportedly been challenged over worries that England is struggling to win the levels of support it requires among the 24 members of FIFA’s executive committee.

FIFA, world football’s governing body, are expected to announce their decision on the 2018 hosts in December 2010.