The decision to use Prince William as the spearhead for England’s 2018 World Cup bid was under scrutiny last night after a controversial inquiry ruled that the FA used corrupt tactics. The England bid was condemned as ‘improper’ yesterday by a FIFA ethics probe, which cleared Russia and Qatar of any wrongdoing. The Prince was left ‘bitterly disappointed’ in 2010 when he – along with David Beckham and David Cameron – were ‘stitched up’ in the secret ballot, winning only two of a possible 22 votes, despite having privately secured the pledges of at least five FIFA delegates. Bid team: David Beckham and Prince William were part of the FA delegation in Zurich in 2010
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FA under scrutiny for using Prince William to spearhead World Cup bid
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FIFA yesterday condemned England's campaigning as 'improper'
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2018 and 2022 hosts Russia and Qatar were both cleared of wrongdoing
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The Prince was left 'bitterly disappointed' when England's bid failed
FIFA
FIFA
FIFA
William was reported to have objected to having to fawn to @placeholder officials who had assembled in Zurich to decide which countries should host the World Cup finals of 2018 and 2022.
Zurich
William was reported to have objected to having to fawn to FIFA officials who had assembled in @placeholder to decide which countries should host the World Cup finals of 2018 and 2022.
England
England
England
England
Prince William, Beckham and the Prime Minister share a joke at a meeting before the announcement that Russia would host the World Cup in 2018, not @placeholder