Sepp Blatter became the ruler of the world at 3:30pm today and delivered the verdict that was supposed to put smiles on the faces of everyone in the England. Unfortunately, other countries got involved in the bidding process for the 2018 World Cup and put across a better case, leading to Russia being named hosts of the tournament in 2018.
England was an even money favourite as recently as this morning but as predicted by Graham Sharpe of William Hill fans were riding the feel good factor all along. Russia, who had drifted with the bookies, may have won quite convincingly in the end.
Hills are not the most unhappy at the decision either, as Sharpe explained: “The shrewd punters backed Russia – one South London customer staked £2000 on them at 4/5 – but a late patriotic gamble which promoted England back to the favouritism they lost after the Sunday Times revelations made the market a six figure winner for us – which is some (very) small consolation.”
The tournament in 2022 will be going to another nation who has never hosted the four yearly event, Qatar. That will be only the second time FIFA’s jamboree has taken place in Asia and the first time it’s been in the rich Gulf region.
How about England getting it in 2030 then?
10/1 with William Hill, Sharpe signing off with the following: “We’re now finding it as difficult to make a serious bid to host the World Cup as we do to win Eurovision.” Bring back bucks fizz and Bobby Charlton’s comb over I say!
