England's 2018 bid on a knife edge
England's hopes if hosting the 2018 World Cup have taken a massive blow after FIFA vice-president Jack Warner revealed the BBC's investigation into corruption within FIFA could negatively affect their bid.
The BBC is set to air the controversial Panorama programme on Monday evening - just three days before the votes are cast. And speaking to Trinidad newspaper Newsday, Warner was critical of the BBC and warned there may be repercussions.
He said: "I leave here on Sunday to go to vote on the bid. I haven't yet made up my mind how I'm voting, but the BBC, I'm totally dismissive of the BBC.
"I don't know really how much it would do that but I would imagine there must be some negative fall-out, how much I really don't know.
"I don't want to dignify the foolishness by the BBC and what they want to show. If the BBC want to show anything, they could show it.
"What more could the BBC say about Jack Warner, come on, and while the BBC is doing its nonsense, I am doing my work, so I'm not worried about that."
England had come in to as short as [1.98] a fortnight ago when England's bid received a favourable report from FIFA, with the infrastructure being heavily praised.
However, they have since drifted out to [2.88] in the wake of Warner's comments and are now well behind Russia who are favourites to host the tournament at [1.98].
Can England still win it? Let us know what you think below...
Published: 24 Nov 2010
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