21 Dec 2009Richards explains Hillsborough decision

Football Clubs News | Football Technology and Stadia

Chairman of the English Premier League Sir Dave Richards has said that Hillsborough was chosen as a potential FIFA World Cup venue because it "ticked more of the boxes" than Bramall Lane.

The Sheffield Wednesday stadium was chosen ahead of Sheffield United's home ground when the host cities for England's FIFA World Cup 2018 bid were confirmed last week.

Blades chairman Kevin McCabe claimed that the decision had left him "shellshocked", adding that his club's stadium is "arguably the best ground in Yorkshire".

However, Richards told South Yorkshire newspaper the Star that bid officials felt that the Sheffield Wednesday ground has more to offer as a World Cup venue.

"The team looked at a total of more than 50 different criteria starting with the stadium, transport links, access and egress and security," he explained.

"In the outcome, Wednesday ticked more of the boxes."

As a former chairman at Hillsborough and an Owls supporter, Richards has been accused of bias.

However, he resigned from the board of the FIFA World Cup 2018 bid team last month and said that he was not involved in selecting stadia.

Written by Mark Thompson

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