England reacts to defeat(credit:
Carey Baird)
Football News' takes a look at the reaction to FIFA's decision to overlook England and award World Cup 2018 to Russia:
England captain Rio Ferdinand wrote on Twitter: "Wow Russia will host the World Cup 2018.... soooo gutted. What more could we have done? What did we do wrong?"
Former striker Gary Lineker, part of England’s bid team, told BBC Sport: “I’m obviously devastated along with the rest of the team. We put a lot of effort in and are going home empty-handed.
“We gave it our best shot. We put in a strong bid and it was a great effort by the guys this morning. All you can do is wish Russia well and hope they have a really good World Cup.
“Always we’ve just said you don’t know how you’re doing and how you’re going to do. It’s so secret once they get in there and we’ll never know to be honest.
“English football will carry on regardless. We’re very strong in our country in terms of our league. It could have been a huge boost. It’s a real shame we’ll never get a chance to prove that.
“It’s a slightly strange experience lobbying and entering the political world.”
Jeremy Hunt, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: “I, like the whole country, am obviously disappointed with FIFA’s decision.
“England’s 2018 team put together a fantastic bid and we can honestly say there is nothing more that we could have done. I congratulate Russia on being selected and wish them luck for hosting the tournament.”
Football Association general secretary Alex Home said: “Well done to Russia. They will organise a great World Cup and we will be focused on ensuring that England play a very significant role in 2018 on the pitch.
“Our England 2018 bid team and our supporters in Government deserve immense credit for conducting such a strong campaign.”
Ex-England skipper Alan Shearer, a bid ambassador, told BBC Sport: “We’d heard a rumour two or three minutes before we’d sat down that we hadn’t been successful. We’d also heard we’d gone out in the first round. We don’t know for certain.
“Congratulations to Russia – they had a fantastic bid and it’s hard to swallow. I thought the guys who got up and spoke for us were magnificent. They couldn’t have done any more.
“At the end of the day, it hasn’t been successful but you try your best.”