FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke has told AFP that his organisation does not always feel welcome in England, after a year in which relations between FIFA and the home of football have deteriorated. FIFA, world football's governing body, has been antagonised by the British media's attempts to uncover corruption in the organisation, while England was hurt by FIFA's decision to award the 2018 World Cup to Russia.
Speaking at a press conference in Paris announcing the three-man shortlist for the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or on Friday, Valcke appeared to suggest that FIFA did not consider London a suitable venue.