'Times have changed. Thank goodness': New sports minister Mims Davies backs World Cup 2030 bid 

A player lifting the FIFA World Cup Trophy . Theresa May has backed moves to bring the World Cup to the UK and Ireland in 2030.
Mims Davies admitted England had previously had their 'fingers burnt' when it came to bidding for the tournament Credit: PA

Mims Davies, the new sports minister, has reinforced a message of Government support for any formal bid to host the 2030 World Cup and argued that “times have changed” following the humiliation of Fifa's 2018 process.

England’s failed bid for last year’s tournament was publicly spearheaded by Prince William, David Beckham and David Cameron - and cost £21 million - but received only two votes from Fifa’s 22-strong executive committee. Fifa president Sepp Blatter was subsequently ousted and is now serving a six-year ban from football, but later said that it had been “agreed inside the group” that the tournament should go to Russia.

England’s bid leader Andy Anson has said that it was not worth bidding until “you know that the process is going to change to allow bids like ours to win” and Davies appears to have faith that Fifa’s new regime, headed by Gianni Infantino, would provide a realistic chance. The idea would be for a joint bid to host the tournament across the United Kingdom and Ireland.

“I think it's right that we make it very clear that coming to these shores would be very appealing for Fifa,” said Davies. “It's a great opportunity. Early stages. We've had our fingers burnt before so let's just tread carefully but be in the mix. Times have changed. Thank goodness.”

Davies, who has called a summit meeting of players' representatives, The FA, English Football League and the Premier League, to discuss incidents of racist abuse also called on fans themselves help police the problem. She also specifically praised England cricket captain Joe Root after he stood up to an alleged homophobic remark by telling West Indies bowler Shannon Gabriel that “there is nothing wrong with being gay”.

The meeting between football’s various stakeholders is expected before the end of the month.

“This is coming from fans, this is not necessarily coming from me only,” said Davies. “We cannot be intolerant in our stadiums and just allow it. We saw it with Joe Root, just call it out. Fans have had enough about this. You do not see it in a pub on a Friday night, why is it OK to use the cloak of football for intolerance? If you don't like what they're saying and they are using the name of your club, call it out, report it, stop it.”