Andy Sinton in call for World Cup bid re-think

AFC Telford United boss Andy Sinton has called for a re-think in the way the World Cup host countries are chosen after England's 2018 bid failed.

Sinton, who was capped 12 times by his country and played in the 1992 European Championships, said he couldn't believe Russia and Qatar were awarded the competition in eight and 12 years time.

"You can't tell me that it has gone to Russia for a footballing reason," said Sinton.

"And to take it to Qatar? I think Qatar is about the size of Birmingham and yet they are going to have all these nations converging there. I think they've only got one stadium at the moment.

"I'm a big believer in trying new things but you have to draw the line somewhere.

"I thought we had the best bid and we presented ourselves the best. I don't think it is a football decision and we have to investigate why because football should be the main reason."

"I think it would have been fantastic for the country. I'm like anyone, I'm a fan and I wanted to take my kids to watch a World Cup game in England and I'm not going to be able to do that - I'll have to take my grandchildren instead."

Shrewsbury Town would have taken an active role in a successful England bid after they were selected as a training base.

"It's disappointing because there is nothing quite like a World Cup and it would have been a tremendous boost to the club to have been involved," said boss Graham Turner.

"The disappointing aspect from the England viewpoint was that we went out in first stage and only got one vote apart from ourselves which is alarming.

"But whatever we might think, FIFA took the World Cup to Africa for the first time in the summer and I suppose the logical next step was to take it to another part of the world where it's not been before."

By Alex James