Russia Withdraws 2022 Bid in Hopes of Securing 2018 World Cup

Russia has withdrawn its bid to host the 2022 World Cup and shifted its bid to the 2018 bidding war.

Russia and England are bidding to stage the 2018 World Cup along with joint bids from Spain/Portugal and Belgium/Netherlands while Japan, South Korea, Qatar, United States and Australia are candidates for 2022.

Russia pull out of 2022 World Cup bid
Reuters
October 22, 2010

Bribe Comments From the Top Hurt England's 2018/2022 Bid

After the release of a secretly recorded tape in which he suggested that Russia and Spain would try to collude and bribe their way into hosting an upcoming World Cup, the leader of England's Football Association and World Cup Bid Team has resigned. He claims the bribe comments were not meant to be taken seriously. England's bid team has issued formal apologies to the bid teams in Russia and Spain, and some now question whether this controversy will hurt England's chances of being selected as host of either the 2018 or 2022 World Cups. England was thought to be the favorite to win hosting duties for 2018.

The Mail on Sunday revelations came only two days after former England captain David Beckham had helped the FA submit a 1,752-page bid book as they try to persuade Fifa to award England the 2018 World Cup.

"I have decided to resign as chairman of the FA and the 2018 Bid board," Triesman said in a statement.

"A private conversation with someone whom I thought to be a friend was taped without my knowledge and passed to a national newspaper," he added, referring to former aide Melissa Jacobs, who met Triesman a fortnight ago.

Lord Triesman quits FA and 2018 World Cup bid jobs
BBC
May 16, 2010

South Africa Safer Than Spain and Germany for British Tourists

South Africa is safer for British tourists than Spain or Germany, according to a report from the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office. British tourists are expected to be the largest group of foreign visitors to South Africa for the World Cup.

The report, which examined the behaviour of British tourists from April, 2008, to March, 2009, measured how much help Brits needed from their different consulates abroad.

And the results may surprise you. Of the 451 580 Britons who visited South Africa in the 12-month period - and a further 212 000 living in the country - there were 23 arrests, 23 hospital admissions and 48 deaths, due to either accidents, natural causes or murder. No rape or sexual assault cases were reported.

SA safer for tourists than Spain or Germany
The Star
March 25, 2010