One talking head on Sky News last night said that this decision will have cost the country the loss of earning potential in the region of £100 million pounds. So if we forget that its football for the moment and think economics, then you can see why we sent the Prime Minister, The Prince, and our star footballer to lobby.
But all revenue potential gone now. I myself was thinking of bringing out the Doverforum World Cup mug. I cudda made a killing. To ensure its commercial success I was going to add Prince William and Kate to the design as a double whammy of surefire commercial exploitation. I might have made so much money that I might have been able to join Marek in Jersey as a tax exile...but all gone now.
The trouble with the English bids like these is that they do it wrong. They dont have enough everyday involvement in FIFA, they dont "work the room" as Mihir Bose legendary journalist put it last night and thats so right. Its more about 'how to win friends and influence people' on a daily basis, and building up relationships, more like that than sending in the big guns at the last minute. Only one guy voted for England..and we voted for ourselves. Two votes...wow! Doesnt that tell us something.
England are often stuffy about foreigners as we know...and FIFA are foreigners..heavens! FIFA started in 1904 and the English FA were livid and huffish that someone would dare do such a thing to the national game. But had to swallow whole in the end and join up after the war. But there is still a them and us feeling to all this...so no chance of success.Reminiscent of our approach to the EU is it not.
The message is.. join in!
