CFU News - England to try and woo Warner for 2018 W/Cup support

Photo caption: Warner is seen here last week alongside Argentina Maxi Moralez who won the Bronze Shoe award for third highest goal tally in the FIFA U20 World Cupwith four goals. Next to them is FIFA President Sepp Blatter.

England to try and woo Warner for 2018 W/Cup support

Issued on July 28, 2007

England's World Cup bid ambassador Richard Caborn is to try to woo two of FIFA's more controversial figures in an effort to secure their support for the 2018 finals returning to Europe.

Caborn, who stepped down as sports minister last week, is to set up meetings with Trinidad's FIFA vice-president Jack Warner and his American sidekick Chuck Blazer, according to a report in the Belfast Telegraph.

Warner and Blazer are both on the FIFA executive committee that will make the crucial decision in November whether the World Cup should continue on a continental rotation basis or whether it should be opened up again for any country to bid.

Under a strict rotation basis, it would be the turn of the CONCACAF federation of north and central America and the Caribbean.

It Caborn can persuade Warner and Blazer to side with the Europeans, it would prove a huge advantage.

Even so, England would face strong opposition from Russia, while the Benelux countries (Belgium, Holland, Luxembourg) will submit a joint bid and Spain are also considering entering the race.

Meantime, coach Ladan Bosso has apologised to referee Howard Webb for the negative comments he made about the Englishman.

Bosso accused the match official of showing racial bias during his team's 4-0 defeat at the hands of Chile at the under-20 World Cup in Canada last week.

Fifa subsequently referred the case to its disciplinary committee, but Bosso says the comments were made in the heat of the moment.

"After analysing my reaction I realised that it was inappropriate and I wrote a letter of apology to Fifa and the referee in particular," said Bosso told BBC Sport.

"I understand the situation and I think the appropriate thing to do is to apologise.

"Immediately I got back to Nigeria, I wrote an apology letter and sent it to the Nigeria FA who then passed it on to Fifa.

"My comments were based on what I saw in the match and it was done in the heat of the moment.

Bosso, who is also the coach of Nigeria premier league side Wikki Tourists, is awaiting the response from Fifa.

Warner, the tournament's organising committee chairman, said he has instructed the Fifa Disciplinary Committee to open a case against Bosso because of the allegations.

Photo caption: Warner is seen here alongside Argentina Maxi Moralez who won the Bronze Shoe award for third highest goal tally in the FIFA U20 tournament with four goals. Next to them is FIFA President Sepp Blatter
Shaun Fuentes