Clubs face World Cup deadline over stadia; City council urges Everton and Liverpool to resolve issues as Bradley reopens shared stadium debate: Clubs face World Cup deadline over stadia.

Byline: IAN DOYLE

LIVERPOOL council leader Warren Bradley has warned Everton and Liverpool they have until December to resolve their stadia issues or risk missing out on hosting the World Cup.

And for the second time in a week, Cllr Bradley reiterated his desire for further talks over a shared stadium between the two Merseyside clubs.

Representatives from Everton, Liverpool and the council were present at

Wembley yesterday as the Football Association officially launched their bid to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022.

Liverpool have already registered their interest in becoming a host city for the tournament, with the city having until the end of the year to formally submit a bid.

Cllr Bradley revealed that it was feasible Everton's proposed new 55,000-seat stadium in Kirkby and Liverpool's planned new stadium on Stanley Park could both be included in the city's application. But he said the city would first require assurances over the viability of the schemes while revealing Gerry Sutcliffe, the Minister for Sport, had called for a fresh debate over a controversial shared stadium..

"In theory, it's possible that the city could have two stadiums by 2018 that could host World Cup games," said Cllr Bradley.

"But that has to be identified by December this year, so it is crucial by then that the situation is resolved over the new stadia for the two clubs or any possible joint stadium.

"Both clubs have stadium. If those don't happen, then I think there has to be serious discussion over a joint stadium. "(Minister for Sport) Gerry Sutcliffe buttonholed me and said it would be a good thing for the city. He said we have should have further talks on a joint stadium and get the two football clubs around the table again. "Obviously, I said I'd love to. And with the Minister for Sport so keen, it would be a good thing to have him there also. "Of course, it all depends on the outcome of the inquiry into Everton's proposed new stadium and whether Liverpool can raise the finances for their new stadium. "But both clubs want to work as closely as they can with us to make sure the bid is robust.

" The outcome of the inquiry into Everton's projected Kirkby move is expected in the autumn while Liverpool's new stadium has been put on hold following the global economic downturn. Should the FA's bid to host the World Cup finals prove successful - world governing body FIFA will make a final decision in 18 months on who hosts the 2018 and 2022 tournaments - financial support is expected to be awarded to help fund the building of any new stadium. But Cllr Bradley believes only a shared stadium between Everton and Liverpool should benefit from any public money. "Discussions about any possible funding would ideally be based around a joint stadium as that would be far easier to justify spending public money on," he said. "If the clubs decide to go individually, I would not support any call for public money to be spent on the stadia. And I would guess the government would tell the clubs they have to fund the building themselves." Cllr Bradley added: "Twenty stadiums need to be identified by the December deadline. It doesn't have to be limited to just one stadium per city.

"Both Manchester stadia are sure to want to be involved while in London there is every probability that Arsenal and a proposed new stadium at Tottenham would join Wembley. "It's about meeting all the criteria. You can have two great stadia but without the infrastructure that can cope then the bid will fall short." The city successfully hosted World Cup games at Goodison in 1966, including the semi-final between West Germany and Russia, while Anfield was a venue for four games in the European Championships in 1996. And Cllr Bradley said: "I think this is the next stage for the city. "We have Shanghai around the corner and now we are trying to be further recognised on a world stage by being a World Cup bidding city.

This is a big opportunity for the world to see Liverpool. "There's more to being a host city than merely hosting the matches themselves. There are other important aspects such as the infrastructure, the accommodation, grassroots participation and the team bases. "You also need to supply Fan Parks as part of the bid. "These Fan Parks aren't close to the stadia, so it would be another big event with another 10,000-15,000 fans there. "But Liverpool has shown with the Capital of Culture celebrations last year that we are capable of hosting events of such recognition, and we want to build on that. "Bringing the World Cup to the city in 2018 would swell the coffers and further raise the profile of Liverpool."

CAPTION(S):

Cllr Warren Bradley Chairman Bill Kenwright (right), speaking at Everton's end of season awards at St Georges Hall last night