FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has refused to apologise for his blast at the Football Association - and insists he stands by his claim that England are disliked by the rest of Europe.
Warner said in a BBC interview this month that the FA had made little impact on world football and that his CONCACAF federation - countries from north and central America and the Caribbean - would fight an England bid for the 2018 World Cup.
In his reply to a letter from FA chairman Geoff Thompson, the CONCACAF president accepts the FA have provided assistance to the federation but said he was "shocked" they cannot accept they are rivals for the 2018 World Cup.
He also said he had warned England over their disastrous bid for the 2006 tournament when they received just two votes out of a possible 25.
Warner this week replied to Thompson and in his letter, a copy of which has been seen by PA Sport, says: "I refer to your letter of August 14 2007 expressing surprise and disappointment on my comments. I am the one surprised at your disappointment on these comments, none of which is untrue and in fact all of which remain applicable.
"Nothing I have said disputes the fact that the FA provides valuable assistance in various and many ways to CONCACAF as a federation and even to me personally and hence the reason I believe that I should be more candid than ever in light England's experience during the 2006 World Cup bidding exercise.
"You will also recall that I told you not to rely on promises made to you by your closest and dearest colleagues, some of whose countries had been and continue to be the recipients of extensive assistance from the FA - and subsequent events did prove me to be correct."
Warner said he knew his forthright views might cause some consternation but said he always tried to be honest.
He added: "I am committed to CONCACAF hosting the World Cup in 2018, which I would have expected anyone to understand based on my position in CONCACAF.
"The fact that you have failed to do so is indeed shocking to me and that you may have been boxed into a corner and be among the many detractors is all the more surprising.
"I said in the BBC interview that the FA is not liked in Europe despite what the FA has done for the development of world football and even as the country that invented the sport. I stand today by those very sentiments expressed.
"Suffice it to say, Geoff, that my candour has always been my strength and my weakness depending on which side of the fence one is standing, but you will agree that at our age, it is difficult to change one's life long principle of honesty in all our relationships and undertakings."
Warner wants FIFA to continue to the policy of rotating the World Cup around the continents, in which case it would be CONCACAF's turn.
European FIFA members believe the finals should be held in Europe every three tournaments. A decision is expected to be taken at FIFA's next executive committee meeting on October 30.
In his reply to a letter from FA chairman Geoff Thompson, the CONCACAF president accepts the FA have provided assistance to the federation but said he was "shocked" they cannot accept they are rivals for the 2018 World Cup.
He also said he had warned England over their disastrous bid for the 2006 tournament when they received just two votes out of a possible 25.
Warner this week replied to Thompson and in his letter, a copy of which has been seen by PA Sport, says: "I refer to your letter of August 14 2007 expressing surprise and disappointment on my comments. I am the one surprised at your disappointment on these comments, none of which is untrue and in fact all of which remain applicable.
"Nothing I have said disputes the fact that the FA provides valuable assistance in various and many ways to CONCACAF as a federation and even to me personally and hence the reason I believe that I should be more candid than ever in light England's experience during the 2006 World Cup bidding exercise.
"You will also recall that I told you not to rely on promises made to you by your closest and dearest colleagues, some of whose countries had been and continue to be the recipients of extensive assistance from the FA - and subsequent events did prove me to be correct."
Warner said he knew his forthright views might cause some consternation but said he always tried to be honest.
He added: "I am committed to CONCACAF hosting the World Cup in 2018, which I would have expected anyone to understand based on my position in CONCACAF.
"The fact that you have failed to do so is indeed shocking to me and that you may have been boxed into a corner and be among the many detractors is all the more surprising.
"I said in the BBC interview that the FA is not liked in Europe despite what the FA has done for the development of world football and even as the country that invented the sport. I stand today by those very sentiments expressed.
"Suffice it to say, Geoff, that my candour has always been my strength and my weakness depending on which side of the fence one is standing, but you will agree that at our age, it is difficult to change one's life long principle of honesty in all our relationships and undertakings."
Warner wants FIFA to continue to the policy of rotating the World Cup around the continents, in which case it would be CONCACAF's turn.
European FIFA members believe the finals should be held in Europe every three tournaments. A decision is expected to be taken at FIFA's next executive committee meeting on October 30.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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