Sponsored by
FIFA World Cup officials run rule over Sunderland
Sunderland's World Cup bid took centre stage today, as a team of Fifa delegates arrived on Wearside.
The six-strong team from football's governing body arrived at the Stadium of Light by helicopter, where they were met by SAFC chairman Niall Quinn, city council leader Paul Watson and bid ambassador Steve Cram.
Sunderland is one of four candidate host cities the Fifa (Fdration Internationale de Football Association) team is visiting during its time in England, alongside London, Newcastle and Manchester.
"We are delighted to welcome the Fifa inspectors to Sunderland and it is fantastic that we have this opportunity to showcase to them how the city would approach the task of hosting World Cup matches," said Coun Watson.
]
"As well as a world-class venue at the Stadium of Light, we aim to demonstrate to Fifa how Sunderland can deliver all of the other elements required of a Candidate Host City."
The Fifa delegation arrived in the region last night.
Black Cats legend Quinn joined other North East football luminaries to welcome the team, which is headed by Chilean Football Federation chief Harold Mayne-Nicholls and includes Danny Jordan, David Fowler, Jurgen Muller, Julio Avellar and Wolfgang Heimlich.
"We are looking to build a legacy over the next eight years and then spread that around the world," said Quinn.
"It is important how we develop this region internationally, and how we export this great football message around the world."
Sunderland's bid had caught the imagination of Wearsiders, who proudly sported their team colours yesterday to show their support for England's campaign to host the tournament in 2018.
The England 2018 team has dubbed this week national Back the Bid Week, and yesterday was Wear Your Shirt to Work Day.
Students and staff from departments across Sunderland University were among those taking part.
University Vice Chancellor Professor Peter Fidler said: "The university is delighted to be involved in backing England's bid, and our staff have been showing their support by wearing their shirts to work today.
"We hope this will demonstrate to the Fifa delegation the passion that this city, university and region have for football."
Sunderland Council and SAFC also told all of their employees that they could go into work wearing their favourite football shirts on Wear Your Shirt to Work Day, while a host of other city business also joined in.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Sunderland’s astonishing rise even surprising Martin O’Neill
- Sunderland striker Campbell fresh to face Middlesbrough
- Derby train wrecked
- Martin O’Neill defends David Meyler after criticism from Tony Pulis
- Middlesbrough 1 Sunderland 2 (aet): O’Neill relieved to avoid shoot-out lottery as Sessegnon wins it
- Sunderland striker Campbell fresh to face Middlesbrough
- Sunderland’s astonishing rise even surprising Martin O’Neill
- Middlesbrough 1 Sunderland 2 (aet): O’Neill relieved to avoid shoot-out lottery as Sessegnon wins it
- Martin O’Neill defends David Meyler after criticism from Tony Pulis
- Kieran Richardson says there is plenty more to come from James McClean
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Sunderland
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South west
