How Trump’s views may affect US World Cup bid – Swansea coach, Bradley

7 years ago

How Trump’s views may affect US World Cup bid – Swansea coach, Bradley

A former manager of the United States national team, Bob Bradley, has expressed fears that United States’ President-elect, Donald Trump’s “divisive and ugly” campaign comments would thwart America’s dreams of staging the 2024 Olympics in Los Angeles and the 2026 World Cup.

The USA is bidding to stage the 2024 Olympics in Los Angeles while the United States Soccer Federation, USSF, has expressed interest in bidding to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, either alone or with neighbouring Mexico.

But Trump’s comments during his campaign about banning Muslims from entering the country; building a wall along the Mexican border; and withdrawing from international organisations has raised fears that the country could miss out on staging the world’s two biggest sporting events.

And the newly appointed Swansea City boss Bradley, who led the USA into the last 16 of the 2010 World Cup, noted, “Everything that the President does in terms of domestic policy and international relations determines how you are received in all different areas, including sports.

“The next World Cup is in Russia and, when you take some of the things that are going on between Russia and Ukraine, there is going to be debate before the tournament.

“I can only hope moving forward that the responsibilities of the job of President will show a marked difference from what we saw throughout the campaign.”

Bradley who left the U.S national team in 2011 has not worked in his homeland since his five-year reign came to an end.

He became the first American to manage in the Premier League when he was appointed Swansea boss at the start of October.

The coach who kept a close eye on the battle to the White House believes the views of the President-elect do not represent traditional American values.

He said, “I didn’t like any part of the Trump campaign, I can’t stand this type of message.

“I can’t put up with the type of values that don’t include an understanding of people that come from different backgrounds.

“And I can’t put up with values that don’t take into account that people sometimes don’t have everything that you have.

“I think our country was built upon caring about people who came from different places.

“I guess if you want to be optimistic you just have to hope that the responsibilities of the job make a big difference in the way Trump handles himself.

“Because if you just go by the campaign, for me it was divisive and ugly.”