English FA spent big on failed 2018 World Cup bid

Published Oct. 10, 2011 2:34 p.m. ET

foxsports

Figures released by England's Football Association reveal that its failed bid to host the World Cup in 2018 cost 21 million pounds ($33 million).

Annual accounts show the FA spent 14 million pounds ($22 million), with the bidding cities providing 2.5 million pounds ($4 million) and the remaining 4.5 million pounds ($7 million) coming from sponsors.

England won just two of the 22 votes cast by FIFA members in the first round of voting last December. Russia was selected as the host country for the tournament.

Overall, the FA returned a profit after tax of 9 million pounds ($14 million) compared to a loss of 3 million pounds ($4.7 million) in 2009, enabling the organization ''to increase its reserves for the first time since 2006.''