Andy Burnham questions FIFA, UEFA anti-England bias as World Cup decision slammed

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has questioned whether FIFA and UEFA have “something against” the UK, branding it “insane” that they have only hosted one World Cup.

That came back in 1966, with England going on to lift the trophy by beating West Germany 4-2 in extra-time in the final at Wembley Stadium.

Burnham questions FIFA and UEFA

The new Prime Minister is an avid football fan and was involved in England's 2010 bid to host the 2018 World Cup, which was ultimately staged in Russia.

There was major controversy over the World Cup being awarded to Russia, with England only receiving two votes amid allegations of bribery and corruption.

Burnham referenced this during an appearance on the Away Days YouTube channel after host Ellis Platten commented: “The fact we've only ever hosted one World Cup in Britain is insane to me.”

“Definitely,” responded Burnham. “I don't know, it makes you wonder whether the authorities at the European and global level have something against us, I don't know.

“The country that invented the game, you know, you'd think we would have had a bit more of that attention. I have been part of Governments that have tried to bring the World Cup here, it's just the voting.

“Let's be honest, some of the practices within football haven't supported even-handed decision-making. I'm being diplomatic here, but it's not good, is it?”

It comes after Burnham branded current FIFA president Gianni Infantino the “wrong man to lead the organisation” and called on him to resign over his “outrageous” attempt to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors.

“My view is strengthening – this was an outrageous suggestion,” Burnham said last month. “The idea that it could even be brought forward, in my view, shows that the FIFA [president] is the wrong man to lead the organisation.”

FGG says: The UK deserves to host another World Cup

It is bizarre that the UK has not hosted a World Cup since the 1966 tournament and now that it has expanded to 48 teams, it is one of the few places that has the infrastructure to do so.

The UK will be staging the UEFA European Championship in 2028 which is a perfect opportunity to prove why they deserve to host the World Cup.