THE inquest into England’s failed bid to host the 2018 World Cup began in earnest last night.

Russia was handed the tournament after England fell at the first hurdle in Zurich, despite the presence of the so-called Three Lions – David Beckham, Prime Minister David Cameron and Prince William.

The £15m dream garnered only two votes from Fifa’s 22-man executive, with Beckham suggesting the BBC’s controversial Panorama programme, which made allegations against several members, had influenced the decision .

The decision was a bitter blow to the North-East, which had hoped to host some of the key matches and rake in up to £200m from investment and tourism.

Dignitaries, who had gathered at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light and St James’ Park, in Newcastle, ahead of the announcement, were left bewildered by the rejection of the bid at such an early stage.

Sunderland FC chairman Niall Quinn, an official ambassador for the England 2018 bid, said if it was proven that politics were to blame for the outcome “none of the work we have done in the past 18 months will have mattered”.

The Panorama investigation accused three Fifa executive committee members of accepting corrupt payments and alleged that Fifa vicepresident Jack Warner attempted to supply ticket touts.

The programme was transmitted only three days ago.