Controversy erupts among World Cup bidders

Nations bidding to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups will not be permitted to make presentations to African football leaders later this month after Qatar signed an exclusive sponsorship deal.

The decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to sign a deal with Qatar 2022 to sponsor their Congress in Angola on January 29 has provoked an angry response among some bidding nations who are understood to have raised the matter with FIFA.

England bid chiefs are however said to be relaxed about CAF’s decision, believing they have strong links in Africa and have already made formal presentations to two of the four African delegates on FIFA’s executive committee.

An email from the CAF general secretary’s office to bidding nations reads: “Kindly note that... CAF has signed an exclusive sponsorship agreement with Qatar 2022 for the CAF Congress 2010, which as a consequence means that no other bidding nations for the FIFA World Cup will be allowed to make any presentations at the Congress which will be held on January 29.

“However, your delegation and representatives will be allowed to attend as ’observers’, but without the possibility to organise press conferences, distribute any promotional material or erect stands to that effect within the venue and its vicinity on that day.

“If you wish to promote the bid prior or after that date it would be possible, and mechanics would have to be studied.”

England 2018 are planning to have a presence at the African Nations Cup, which kicks off in Angola this weekend.

Other bidders for 2018 and 2022 including Russia, Australia, USA and Spain/Portugal are also intending to do so.