LONDON - Prince William, who is also the president of the English Football Association, has made is clear that he is ready to play any part that the FA requires him to bring the World Cup to England in 2018.

“He is very supportive of the bid and will do his part in whatever way the FA deems appropriate. Prince William is heavily involved and will remain so until the winning bid is announced in December 2010,” The Telegraph quoted William’s spokesman, as saying.

His clarification comes in the wake of FIFA vice-president Jack Warner’s criticism last week that the organisers of the campaign for not making greater use of the Royal Family and of David Beckham.

“It is time to wake up. I am saying that if you don’t get your act together you will lose. If I had the Premier League, Beckham and the Queen, there would have been many things I could have done for the people who are voting. I would have made them next-door neighbours to make them the first name on people’s lips,” he had warned.
According to sources, the FA is reluctant to rely on William, who disappointed some of those involved in London’s successful bid to host the 2012 Olympics.

Rather than travel to Singapore to support London’s presentation to the International Olympic Committee in 2005, he joined the British Lions on their rugby tour of New Zealand.
However, Andy Anson, the chief executive of England’s 2018 bid, said: “We will use those individuals like David Beckham and, hopefully, members of the Royal family in our own time and in the right place. They are important to our bid and on board” (ANI)