Does anyone know whether FIFA ever issued a weighting system by which the tenders would be judged?
I used to manage a lot of tendering processes and it was considered best practice to announce what the judging criteria would be so each bidder could ensure their bid was inline with expectations and also to stop people/companies wasting their money.
Russia and Qatar - from what the media have said - received the worst interim assessments yet both won the tournament. Either the criteria was 1. how much will you pay us (bribes etc) or 2. You need to be a developing market.
I know that I am being naive to expect such transparency and honesty but without it, why on earth would the UK commit £16m for the bid.
I genuinely hope the spanish/portuguese, british, US and australian press go to town on FIFA's ass.