Liverpool FC legend John Barnes feels that the Government's decision to reject Everton's plans for a new stadium in Kirkby have dealt a severe blow to the city's bid to become a host city for the 2018 World Cup.
The Kop hero was in London yesterday as the vice-chairman of the city's bid to host matches of the competition should England win the race to host the competition in nine years time, just hours after the Blues' Destination Kirkby project had been shot down in flames by the Government.
Barnes, 46, fears that the decision, combined with ongoing delays over Liverpool's proposed new ground in Stanley Park, has put the city on the back foot against the likes of Hull, Plymouth, and Milton Keynes who are also vying to be named host cities.
The former Tranmere Rovers manager does not believe that Anfield and Goodison Park are of the required standard to host high-profile competitive international matches.
He said: "The city needs a new stadium, we always knew that. When the bid was submitted it was on the grounds of new grounds being in place, not Anfield hosting the World Cup in nine years' time.
"I'm sure that would have been the case anyway because neither Anfield nor Goodison would fit the criteria for hosting a World Cup. They would have had to have built a new stadium anyway."
Post a comment