TWO North-East councils could seek to claw back nearly £1m spent on England’s failed bid to host the World Cup in 2018, after Fifa president Sepp Blatter claimed it was going to Russia before a vote was taken.

Mr Blatter, who is currently suspended from Fifa, told the Russian news agency Tass it had been decided where would host the tournament before voting began.

The Northern Echo: Sepp Blatter

Sepp Blatter has said a decision on the 2018 World Cup was taken ahead of voting

Football Association (FA) chairman Greg Dyke said the bidding process appeared fixed from the start and “it would be very nice to get taxpayers’ money back”.

Newcastle City Council spent about £450,000 on its bid to be a host city, while Sunderland City Council spent £421,000.

Now both authorities could seek their money back.

A Newcastle City Council spokesman said: “If the FA do indeed decided to recoup the costs of their failed bid then we would also seek recompense for what the city council spent.”

Sunderland City Council leader Paul Watson said: “The council is aware of the concerns being raised over the Fifa bidding process and (is) considering its options.”

Cllr Watson added Sunderland was honoured to be chosen as a candidate host city for the bid and the council viewed it a major opportunity to showcase the city to a global audience and attract huge visitor numbers to the region.

The Newcastle spokesman said bringing the 2018 World Cup would have given the region’s economy a “massive boost”, estimated at around £58m.

It is reported England’s failed bid cost £21m, £2.5m of which was public money, and rolled out Prince William and David Beckham in an attempt to win votes.