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Blatter praises England after Downing Street visit

Pa,Martyn Ziegler
Wednesday 13 October 2010 17:09 BST
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FIFA president Sepp Blatter today praised England for eradicating hooliganism and claimed similar measures would have prevented yesterday's trouble at Italy v Serbia match.

Blatter was speaking after meeting Prime Minister David Cameron in Downing Street, where he had a presentation on England's bid for the 2018 World Cup.

The FIFA president delighted England 2018 leaders by saying he was impressed by the bid, and by urging other national associations to replicate the all-seater stadiums and lack of fences at the country's top clubs.

Last night's international in Genoa was abandoned after just seven minutes due to trouble involving Serbian fans.

Blatter said: "England is the motherland of football. England has given so much to football, and England is going on to carry on giving much to football.

"Your predecessors were in a very difficult situation during the years from 1985 to 1989 and so on. I don't want to speak about what happened then, but the reaction you have made.

"You have given to the world security in the stadiums. You have built all your stadia, there are no fences and everyone is sitting.

"If this had been the case we would not have had the problems we had in Genoa yesterday at the match.

"This is a big legacy, an important legacy you have given to the world.

"If only all the national associations in the world, and their leagues [had stadiums like this], we would have more fair play in our game.

"You did it - it's a question of organisation and it is also a question of discipline and respect. You did it here - and now we say where are the hooligans?

"They are not in the stadium and this is a compliment to your government and your predecessors."

Blatter watched Prime Minister's Question in the House of Commons before going to Number 10 for the presentation and lunch with Cameron, who was unable to meet him on his last visit in August as his wife was having their baby.

Cameron extolled to him the virtues of England's global legacy plans which include matching FIFA's estimated £75million annual investment in grassroots football.

Blatter added: "Now England can organise the World Cup tomorrow, England can organise the World Cup - that's not a problem, but what you are doing is a World Cup for the world.

"The situation is such that your bid has impressed me personally. I will report to the executive committee when they meet [at the end of October] before the December 2 decision."

Fabio Capello was among those at Number 10 and Blatter even made a joke about England's disappointing 0-0 draw against Montenegro.

He added: "I wish you good luck, and I hope the goals are scored...more than yesterday."

Cameron promised the Government's full backing to hosting the tournament in England and paid tribute Blatter for having taken the World Cup to South Africa.

The Prime Minister also stressed that England had eradicated racism from football - the issue has been a tricky one for bid rivals Russia to deal with.

Cameron said: "I hope you see that England has got what it takes to host the greatest tournament on earth. I hope you can see how much our country wants this.

"Most important of all, I hope you have seen the real legacy that we plan to leave. Our bid is not about not what the World Cup can do for one country it's about what the World Cup can do for the world."

The Prime Minister stressed the passion for the game in England, and the stadiums, transport links and infrastructure already in place.

He went on: "We are the most diverse football nation in the world and we have travelled so far in kicking racism right out of football and that is one of the reasons why I believe we can make 2018 such a success."

England 2018 chief executive Andy Anson said the visit had been "excellent" for the bid.

He said: "One thing the president mentioned today was our long-established credibility in dealing with hooliganism and that's fantastic to hear."

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