England news: Target of winning the 2022 World Cup scrapped by new Football Association chairman
Greg Clarke has made it clear that England's players are not under pressure to win any of the coming tournaments in the next six years
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.England’s target of winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar has been scrapped by the new Football Association chairman, Greg Clarke.
Clarke’s predecessor, Greg Dyke, said in 2013 that England should aim to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2020 before claiming glory at the World Cup two years later.
But, following the disappointment of Euro 2016, Clarke has attempted to ease the pressure on Sam Allardyce’s players.
"I'm not going to put pressure on and say we are going to win this tournament or that tournament," said Clarke, who came into the role in August.
He also criticised the use of a clock at St George’s Park to count down to the World Cup final in six years’ time, labelling it as “daft”.
"That clock's daft," Clarke said.
"If you've seen that nuclear clock back in the Cold War, it's been one minute to midnight for the past 55 years. These things are a joke.
"I like a few jokes, I like a good laugh, so I'll go up to St George's Park and have a good laugh at the clock."
The nuclear clock Clarke made reference to is the Doomsday Clock, maintained by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists.
The former Football League chief also indicated that he would have a less public profile, adding: "I am not here to build the Greg Clarke brand.
"I am here to get the stakeholders to line up and start delivering for the England national team, start delivering for the grass roots and everyone in between."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments