/ 20 October 1999

STARS TO HELP ENGLAND’S 2006 BID

PRIME Minister Tony Blair, actor Hugh Grant and singer Chris de Burgh are just some of the personalities lined up to pitch England’s 2006 World Cup bid to officials of world soccer’s governing body. England is pulling out all the stops for the six-day visit of a Fifa inspection team led by American Alan Rothenburg, who ran the 1994 World Cup. Organizers have laid on a series of high-profile engagements for the Fifa delegates to try to convince them that England’s bid is superior to those of main rivals Germany and South Africa. Morocco and Brazil are the other candidates. The six-member Fifa team, which arrives on Thursday, will meet with Blair at 10 Downing Street. On Friday, the delegates will visit Wembley Stadium, meet with Prince Charles at St. James’ Palace and have dinner with members of the England team which won the 1966 World Cup _ with entertainment provided by The Lady in Red crooner De Burgh. The inspectors will attend Saturday’s Premier League game between Chelsea and Arsenal, followed by visits Sunday to Aston Villa, Derby County and Sunderland.