Lineker rules out England 2018 bid role

Gary Lineker has distanced himself from the prospect of playing a prominent role in England's bid to host the 2018 World Cup.

Former bid envoy Richard Caborn backed BBC's Match of the Day presenter as an ideal front man for the bid, claiming he could do for football what Lord Coe had done for the British Olympic movement in bringing the Games to London in 2012.

However, former England striker Lineker insists he cannot be compared to Coe and while he is happy to be a bid ambassador, he does not see himself being at the forefront of the campaign.

He wrote in his Mail On Sunday column: "It hasn't escaped my notice that I have been put forward in several quarters as a potential figurehead for England's 2018 World Cup bid.

"As flattering as that may be, I don't want anyone to be misled. Even if asked - and I haven't been - I would not be able to play a prominent role in the bid because of my full-time commitments for the BBC.

"Having little interest or experience in being a political animal, I think I'd be better off assisting where I can, rather than being the front man for such a huge campaign.

"While I am happy to play a supporting role, I am not the Lord Coe some people are looking for.''

The bid has so far been dogged by internal differences of opinion, with Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards stepping down from the bid team earlier this week.

Lineker hopes political in-fighting does not scupper a bid that he sees as a very strong and positive one.

He said: "There are concerns with how the bid has gone so far - the apparent in-fighting that has seen people moved up, down and sideways on various committees is clearly not helpful.

"I am not privy to what has gone on but it would be a crying shame if all the advantages that our bid enjoys are overshadowed by power struggles and egos getting in the way.

"Everyone should remember this is about winning the right to host the 2018 World Cup, not who gets a knighthood.''

Meanwhile, Brazilian President Lula is backing the bid at the end of a week which has seen Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards resign from the 2018 bid team.

"I believe that the last one that England hosted, the first and only one was in 1966,'' President Lula told Channel 4 News. "And so that's already been 44 years ago that the UK hosted the FIFA cup. I think now is the time for the UK to host a FIFA cup again.''

Lord Triesman, the Football Association chairman and leader of the bid, suggested the endorsement was significant.

"I think it's really important,'' said Triesman. "He's been a huge a fan, a huge advocate of English football; he loves it. I remember when he made his state visit he made a joke that we might have introduced Brazil to football and taught them how to do it, but they'd become the teachers and we'd become the pupils.

"He's always had a really strong, positive view of English football. When he was over a couple of weeks ago and I had the chance to have a conversation with him he was clear about wanting us to have the World Cup here.''