FOOTBALL
BECKHAM KEY TO ENGLAND 2018 BID
Beckham can win the bid
By Jim Holden
DAVID BECKHAM can win the 2018 World Cup bid for England in the same way that Nelson Mandela was crucial to South Africa securing the 2010 tournament.
A personality recognised and admired across the globe is vital in World Cup bids according to Danny Jordaan, the man who masterminded South Africa’s success.
And Jordaan has told England bluntly that Beckham is their key figure, their nearest equivalent to Mandela, whether or not he makes the final playing squad for Fabio Capello’s team on the pitch next summer.
“What the England bid needs is a personality,” said Jordaan, speaking at the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg that will host the 2010 World Cup final.
“Germany had Franz Beckenbauer when they won, and we had Nelson Mandela.
“I think Beckham would be good for England’s 2018 World Cup bid. You must ask yourself, ‘Who is the person that people around the world would like to have a photo taken with?’ In our case everyone wanted a photo with Nelson Mandela.
“People were always available to see us on the days that Nelson Mandela was there.
“You have to look at what is your trigger. Beckham, clearly, could be England’s trigger.
“Beckham has been more than just a football player. He has been a personality way beyond football, and he is quite an influential figure in the world game.
“We hope that he will come to the final draw, and as part of the England team for the tournament, although we know that England have other fine footballers who can compete with the best.”
Jordaan’s views hold huge sway around the politics of world football, and will be ignored at their peril by the FA and the 2018 bid team.
