England's World Cup bid receives a boost
With just two days to go until FIFA reveal who will host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, England have drifted to [4.1] to stage the 2018 event, with Russia assuming the mantle of [1.82] favourites.
The English bid was [3.5] yesterday afternoon but the price lengthened significantly as punters panicked over the impact the BBC's Panorama investigation into FIFA, which was aired last night, would have - at one point reaching a high of [4.6].
There has been good news this morning however with Sky Sports claiming to have gained access to a FIFA report revealing that it would be most profitable to football's governing body to hold the 2018 tournament in England.
It was judged that England would meet 100 per cent profitability in every area whereas Spain and Portugal ([5.0]) were rated at 91 per cent, Belgium and Holland ([36.0]) were next up on 87 per cent and frontrunners Russia were bottom of the pile on 86 per cent.
Cynics will suggest that FIFA don't care where the competition is played so long as there is a chance to make big money and while the argument that they will be angered by the interrogation they have received from the British media stands up, it's quite possible that there will be an even fiercer grilling if the English bid is overlooked.
Could England be worth backing at [4.1]? Share your view in the box below...
Published: 30 Nov 2010
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