Lord Triesman: Bid will be above board

Triesman was joined by David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and Prime Minister Gordon Brown at Wembley for the launch of the campaign to host the 2018 or 2022 tournament.

There have historically been question marks over the methods of gaining votes but Triesman, a week after the row over MP's expenses emerged, insisted the bid will be executed professionally.

"We will deal with people on a very straightforward basis and a transparent way," he said. "Everyone will be able to inspect everything we have done.

"That is absolutely my intention and I will stick to that. That is what the rest of the world will expect from us.

"I said from the outset, and I'm absolutely determined on this, that we will run a completely transparent campaign.

"We are living in a world now where people are expected to be a bit more careful what they do in financial terms because of the world economic climate. These are much tougher times.

"Displays of largesse are very unappealing. We will do it properly and spend the money we need, but we will do it properly."

Competition comes from joint bids from Spain and Portugal, Holland and Belgium, while Russia, Australia and America also among those looking to host.

Bid chief executive Andy Anson believes the failed 2006 bid was guilty of "arrogance and complacency" and while Triesman stopped short of repeating the accusation, he feels they must learn from their mistakes.

"We've got to go out and convince the rest of the world that we've earned the right," Triesman said.
"There's no reason why people should give you things you've not earned and that's my whole approach to it.

"People are very proud of their history and the FA itself is a 146-year-old organisation. I'm enormously proud of that. I'd be a liar if I didn't acknowledge it.

"I think when you're very proud of something it's possible to talk to other people in a way that doesn't acknowledge that they're as proud of what they do.

"I'm not describing that as arrogance, I think there needs to be a sensitivity to what other people feel and when you are sensitive to it they're enormously sensitive to what you feel."

Triesman still needs to talk to the Government about funding options.

"We are working on different ways that may be done," he said. "I remain very hopeful."

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Andy Burnham suggested that funding would come from within the sport initially.

"We would look to the game first to provide the funds to help the bid but we will come forward and will help if necessary," he said. "We think England have a compelling case."

The bid is expected to cost £15million, with Burnham responding to questions over whether that should happen during the current economic crisis.

"I would say that by bringing this event to this country, we can give the whole country and the economy a lift," he said.

"We will bring tourists here and welcome the whole world and that is a good thing for the British economy."

There are hopes that England's passion for football will be a persuading factor, as well as the popularity of the Premier League.

Bids will be lodged in December with inspections from July to October next year before a decision is made at the end of 2010.

Prime Minister Brown added: "There is one major issue that President Obama and I disagree fundamentally. He wants America to win the bid for 2018."