Boris heads new team to help take forward England’s bid for FIFA World Cup in 2018
01 February 10
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson is to become chair of London United, the group co-ordinating the capital’s support for the England 2018 FIFA World Cup bid, it was announced today.
In a meeting at City Hall with England 2018 Chairman Lord Triesman and England 2018 CEO Andy Anson, the Mayor reaffirmed his own personal commitment and the significance of winning the bid, for London and the country.
The Mayor said: ‘I am delighted that London is included as part of England’s bid to host the World Cup in 2018. The capital has the crown jewels of the national bid with our world-class stadia, accommodation and transport connections. Londoners are also passionate about football and teams competing in the World Cup can expect enthusiastic support for their own supporters who make their home here.
‘But we’re not taking anything for granted – we really want to bring the tournament to the capital. We have brought together a crack new team to build on the first stage of the bid and get that first goal in the back of the net.’
The London United group was initially formed to drive the capital’s successful campaign to become a Candidate Host City within the national bid. The smaller, high-level group will now work closely with the England 2018 bid senior team to support the overall national strategy.
London United will include for the first time Ivan Gazidis, CEO of Arsenal Football Club, Daniel Levy, Chairman of Tottenham Hostpur FC, and Wembley Stadium’s Managing Director, Roger Maslin as well as representatives from London government and England 2018.
Lord Triesman, Chairman of England 2018 said: “We are delighted that the Mayor has decided to chair London United. It demonstrates that the bid has political support at the highest level and that London, the world’s leading city, is fully committed to bringing the World Cup to England. I am very much looking forward to working closely with the Mayor on England’s bid.”
In addition to hosting matches during a World Cup, London remains crucially important to the national bid as the potential base for many supporters, FIFA officials and the media. FIFA officials are expected to visit London later in the year as part of an inspection tour of bidding countries.
In December 2009, England 2018 confirmed that four London stadia would be amongst 16 to be included in the final submission to FIFA in May 2010. The London stadia were Wembley, Arsenal FC Emirates and either Tottenham Hotspur FC New Stadium or the Olympic Stadium.
England’s bid will be submitted to FIFA in May with the winning host country for 2018 announced in December this year. The public are urged to register support for England’s bid at: http://www.england2018bid.com.
Notes to Editors
1. Image of the Mayor and Lord Triesman
Members of the new London United group include:
• Boris Johnson, Mayor of London
• Dan Ritterband, Director of Marketing, Mayor’s Office, Greater London Authority
• Neale Coleman, Director of London 2012 Coordination, Greater London Authority
• Ivan Gazidis, CEO Arsenal FC
• David Ross former member of Sport England Board & Government nominee on Wembley Board
• Daniel Levy, Chairman, Tottenham Hotspur FC
• Simon Greenberg, Chief of Staff, England 2018
• Ian Riley, Technical Director, England 2018
• Gareth Daniel, CEO Brent Council / John Foster CEO Islington Council
• Roger Maslin, Managing Director, Wembley Stadium
London United’s previous Chairman Simon Greenberg stepped down from the role on becoming Chief of Staff for England 2018.
The group’s secretariat is provided by Visit London.
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