Robertson: World Cup bid board membership could politicise the process

Hugh speaks out over the composition of the 2018 World Cup bid board.

Reacting to news that the 2018 World Cup Bid Board will contain five current or former politicians on a nine member board, Shadow Sports Minister, Hugh Robertson said:

'A board comprising five present, or former, politicians is two too many. It is quite right that Lords Triesman and Mawhinney should be included - as Chairmen of the FA and Football League respectively. It also makes sense to include The Sports Minister as the Government's representative.

“However, it is ridiculous to include a special representative for the Prime Minister, which is a snub to the competence of The Sports Minister and politicises the bid. I am also not convinced that the former Labour Leader in the Lords adds more value than someone with an inside knowledge of how FIFA and UEFA work.”