FA Chair Greg Dyke believes suspended FIFA President Sepp Blatter's eight-year ban from football has "removed a significant barrier" to England bidding for the World Cup again, according to the PA. The FA had ruled out another bid "while Blatter was in charge of FIFA" following its failed attempt for the 2018 World Cup, which was awarded to Russia. Dyke claimed the decision was made "by a bunch of crooks," but Blatter's ban "could open the way to the consideration of another attempt if the FIFA Congress in February brings in the right reforms." The U.K. Government's new sports policy document published last week said it will develop "a UK-wide strategy for so-called 'mega-events"' including the World Cup by September. A bid for the 2026 World Cup "looks unlikely" but one for '30 could be possible. Dyke said that Blatter's departure was "an important change," but stressed a "proper and effective" reform process was "as crucial" before another bid could be considered. He said, "There is nobody who wouldn't love to have the World Cup in England but the process has to be done in a fair, honest and transparent way, not carved up by a bunch of crooks which is what happened last time. If you look at past World Cups, one after the other you have to ask if you could have won a World Cup bid without being suspect. I think it's the end for Blatter whatever happens in the appeals process. The important thing is that we never get anyone with the same sort of power that Blatter had again" (PA, 12/22).
