Blame English media for loss of 2018 football World Cup, Warner tells media

FIFA Vice President said Tuesday England lost its chance to host the 2018 football World Cup because the English media insisted on insulting the world football body.

The British media continue to criticise Warner and FIFA for not giving England the nod for the games, which will be held in Russia. FIFA's executive committee of 22 voted last week in a secret ballot. England was eliminated in the first round of voting after getting only two votes.

Prior to the vote Warner met with British Prime Minister David Cameron in Zurich and also with the President of the England FA, Prince William. As part of the 'courtship' of Warner for the World Cup British soccer superstar David Beckham hosted a football camp in Trinidad.

Days before the vote the BBC's current affairs program Panorama ran a program accusing three FIFA officials of taking bribes. Since then the English media have been blaming Warner, saying he reneged on a promise to vote for England.

But the FIFA VP said the English media must accept the blame for what happened. "After all the insults that the English media hurled on the FIFA executive committee it would have been the ultimate insult for the FIFA executive committee to have supported England," Warner said.

"I always do what I think is right, not what is popular. But if what is right is popular, so be it and if not, fine," Warner said.

He also made it clear that his role as FIFA's Vice President is independent of his ministerial responsibilities.

"If there is a backlash that means there was a blackmail then. I am not part of that. I am not a part of that at all. I remain free to do what I feel is best for football and FIFA, and if this country gets benefits as a result so be it," he said.