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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| World Cup own goal for chancellor | World Cup own goal for chancellor |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Chancellor Gordon Brown has provoked a storm by appearing to back England to host and win the football World Cup in 2018 - and not his native Scotland. | Chancellor Gordon Brown has provoked a storm by appearing to back England to host and win the football World Cup in 2018 - and not his native Scotland. |
| Mr Brown said he would like "the host" to win such a competition, adding that "of course, Scotland will do well". | Mr Brown said he would like "the host" to win such a competition, adding that "of course, Scotland will do well". |
| SNP leader Alex Salmond said the comments made Mr Brown look "ridiculous in Scotland and insincere in England". | SNP leader Alex Salmond said the comments made Mr Brown look "ridiculous in Scotland and insincere in England". |
| Later Mr Brown said in a statement: "My ideal scenario is that Scotland play England in the final and Scotland win." | Later Mr Brown said in a statement: "My ideal scenario is that Scotland play England in the final and Scotland win." |
| The MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath added: "But if we don't qualify, or we go out in an earlier round, then I would transfer my allegiance to the other home nation, England." | The MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath added: "But if we don't qualify, or we go out in an earlier round, then I would transfer my allegiance to the other home nation, England." |
| Mr Salmond said: "Gordon Brown is fast becoming a figure of fun in these matters. | Mr Salmond said: "Gordon Brown is fast becoming a figure of fun in these matters. |
| "First he said that Paul Gasgoine's goal against Scotland in Euro 96 was his favourite football moment, then he supported a British Olympic team and now he seems to have completely lost the plot." | "First he said that Paul Gasgoine's goal against Scotland in Euro 96 was his favourite football moment, then he supported a British Olympic team and now he seems to have completely lost the plot." |
| It was reported on Friday that Mr Brown would meet Fifa president Sepp Blatter next month. | It was reported on Friday that Mr Brown would meet Fifa president Sepp Blatter next month. |
| The meeting has been set up by Sports Minister Richard Caborn for 28 February with a bid for the World Cup at the top of the agenda. | The meeting has been set up by Sports Minister Richard Caborn for 28 February with a bid for the World Cup at the top of the agenda. |
| Mr Brown, who is likely to become prime minister when Tony Blair stands down later this year, has firmly attached himself to an England bid. | Mr Brown, who is likely to become prime minister when Tony Blair stands down later this year, has firmly attached himself to an England bid. |
| It will be great. Fifty years after we had it before. It is the right time for England to have it Gordon Brown | It will be great. Fifty years after we had it before. It is the right time for England to have it Gordon Brown |
| The Fifa president's influence will be a major factor in the success of any bid and he said last year he would welcome a bid from England as "the home of football" for 2018. | The Fifa president's influence will be a major factor in the success of any bid and he said last year he would welcome a bid from England as "the home of football" for 2018. |
| Mr Brown and Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell last year launched a joint feasibility study into a bid. | Mr Brown and Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell last year launched a joint feasibility study into a bid. |
| That study is due to be published shortly and will be strongly supportive of the Football Association bidding to host the 2018 finals. | That study is due to be published shortly and will be strongly supportive of the Football Association bidding to host the 2018 finals. |
| The chancellor is understood to view a successful World Cup bid as the sort of publicity coup which Mr Blair has enjoyed following London's success in landing the 2012 Olympics. | The chancellor is understood to view a successful World Cup bid as the sort of publicity coup which Mr Blair has enjoyed following London's success in landing the 2012 Olympics. |
| Questioned in Mumbai by the BBC's political editor Nick Robinson, Mr Brown said: "It will be great. Fifty years after we had it before. It is the right time for England to have it. | Questioned in Mumbai by the BBC's political editor Nick Robinson, Mr Brown said: "It will be great. Fifty years after we had it before. It is the right time for England to have it. |
| "It will mean we would have a most magnificent sporting decade with the Olympics in 2012 and the World Cup in 2018. | "It will mean we would have a most magnificent sporting decade with the Olympics in 2012 and the World Cup in 2018. |
| "All the effort to win England's place for the World Cup is going to happen in the next year or two." | "All the effort to win England's place for the World Cup is going to happen in the next year or two." |
| Asked then who he wanted to win the World Cup, Mr Brown replied: "I think the host." When asked "Not Scotland?", the Chancellor replied: "Well, of course, I want Scotland to do well, but let's just see how it all works out." |