Advertisement

Former Fifa President Sepp Blatter would back a UK and Ireland World Cup bid

The controversial figure also believes a 48-team tournament is a bad idea.

FORMER FIFA PRESIDENT Sepp Blatter says he would back either an England or joint-UK and Ireland bid for the 2030 World Cup.

The 82-year-old is a hugely controversial figure within football, and his 17-year reign as Fifa chief coincided with the decision to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively, with the former decision coming much to the frustration of a rival English bid.

Blatterโ€™s lengthy reign ended in acrimony, as he stepped down from his role governing the sport following a wide-ranging corruption scandal within his organisation, while in December 2015, he was suspended for eight years from football, later reduced to six, following an investigation by Fifaโ€™s ethics committee.

However, the veteran administrator has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, and has arrived at the World Cup in Russia as a guest of President Vladimir Putin.

Blatter is expected to attend todayโ€™s game between Portugal and Morocco, while he has not been shying away from publicity, suggesting to Sky Sports News that he would back any prospective bid for the 2030 World Cup by Ireland and the UK.

The former Fifa chief told Sky Sports that he would like to see both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland join forces to host at least part of the tournament on this island when the World Cup returns to Europe in 12 yearsโ€™ time.

โ€œI think England or Ireland deserve to organise the World Cup. They [England] have had it in โ€™66 so it is a long time ago,โ€ he said.

โ€œI spoke with one of your colleagues from Associated Press and he said if Wales and Scotland joined together and I said: โ€˜Why not Ireland?โ€™โ€

Blatter added that he would support an all-Ireland bid rather than one that solely includes the Republic or the North: โ€œAll of Ireland together! They will be a candidate, Iโ€™m sure. And I think with 48 teams, you need more than one country, definitely.โ€

He has also been speaking to Fox Sports, telling them that plans for future 48-team World Cups are ill-advised.

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!

Fabianski sorts club future while at World Cup by becoming a Hammer>

โ€˜I want to prove people wrongโ€™: Kane aiming to reach Ronaldo and Messi levels>

Close
16 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Hightower
    Favourite Hightower
    Report
    May 11th 2018, 5:34 PM

    Not much cover at RB may bring in Rafael or Fabio

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute EK
    Favourite EK
    Report
    May 11th 2018, 5:56 PM

    @Hightower: with Danilo on the bench.

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Now or Never
    Favourite Now or Never
    Report
    May 11th 2018, 5:39 PM

    Such a pity, last chance to represent his country in a major tournament, gotta feel for the man.

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fionn Falcao
    Favourite Fionn Falcao
    Report
    May 11th 2018, 5:44 PM

    @Now or Never: absolute douche tho.

    116
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jonathon Carroll
    Favourite Jonathon Carroll
    Report
    May 11th 2018, 7:38 PM

    Are they certain??? I mean he does have form with faking injury. Maybe this is his best performance yet?

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Marko Polo
    Favourite Marko Polo
    Report
    May 11th 2018, 6:12 PM

    Best RB ever to play the game. Shame.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Bolger
    Favourite Stephen Bolger
    Report
    May 11th 2018, 6:18 PM

    @Marko Polo: cafu

    91
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Clay Davis
    Favourite Clay Davis
    Report
    May 11th 2018, 6:55 PM

    @Stephen Bolger: John O Shea

    65
    See 1 more reply โ–พ
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gareth Keenan
    Favourite Gareth Keenan
    Report
    May 11th 2018, 8:38 PM

    @Clay Davis: Paul McShane

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Cowhig
    Favourite David Cowhig
    Report
    May 11th 2018, 6:32 PM

    Shame. Heโ€™s an entertaining player to watch

    5
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel