Barwick fury over England criticism - Sport in brief - Evening Standard
       

Barwick fury over England criticism

Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick has expressed his disappointment following remarks criticising England by FIFA vice-president Jack Warner.

Warner has said he will battle to stop England hosting the 2018 World Cup, describing the country as an "irritant" and unliked by the rest of Europe. The FA have written to Warner, also president of the CONCACAF federation, to explain his attack.

Barwick told BBC Radio Five Live: "On UEFA, we are - alongside Germany - the most well-represented country in football across committees and working groups. I think frankly they are personal remarks. I think FIFA will distance themselves from them very quickly."

Chairman Geoff Thompson, who is also a FIFA and UEFA vice-president, added in the Daily Telegraph: "I find that rather surprising to be honest. I think we are popular in Europe and we have made a significant contribution to UEFA and we have very good connections."

Warner said in an interview with BBC World Service that he will "fight to the very end" to stop FIFA changing the rotation rules and allowing Europe to host the World Cup in 11 years' time.

He believes England are unlikely to win the race to be hosts.

"If by chance, in 2018, the World Cup were to go to Europe, I'm quite sure, with the English luck as it is, they won't get it," Warner of Trinidad and Tobago said.

"It'll be Italy, Spain, or it might even be France. Nobody in Europe likes England. England - who invented the sport - has never had any impact on world football. England at no time has had the love and support of Europe. For Europe, England is an irritant.

"There are moves to give it to England. I must fight that. I really don't believe that we should just lay down and play dead to anyone who wants to take the World Cup from CONCACAF.

"I know in FIFA there are those persons who believe the rules should be changed to satisfy Europe but I tell you this - we shall fight it to the very end."

Sport in brief in Pictures

Don't Miss
Gala night for the Queen of arts - stars turn out in their hundreds to pay tribute

Happy & glorious

Stars turn out in their hundreds to pay tribute to Queen
Prints charming: patterned trousers for summer

Prints charming

Patterned trousers for summer
Promethipedia: the lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus

Promethipedia

The lowdown on Ridley Scott's new blockbuster Prometheus
The Middletan: Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London

The Middletan

Kate Middleton has the most requested tan in London
Amy Childs bares all like Britney

Dare to bare

Amy Childs vajazzles like Britney
Thais go Gaga: singer’s ‘fake rolex’ tweet sparks new tour row... but fans still mob her at airport

Thais go Gaga

Singer mobbed at airport
Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon

Fashion

Trip the bright fantastic - in vertiginous neon
Chelsea Champions League celebrations - in pictures

Victory parade

Chelsea Champions League celebrations
High-flying heroes

High flying heroes

David Oyelowo reveals all about new film Red Tails
The Twitter Diaries: Think Bridget Jones tries social networking

The Twitter Diaries

Think Bridget Jones tries social networking