'We shouldn't bother bidding again until process changes' says Andy Anson

England should not bother bidding for the World Cup again until FIFA change their system, 2018 bid chief Andy Anson said as English football came to terms with the defeat by Russia.

England secured just two of the 22 FIFA members' votes and were knocked out in the first round while Russia went on to triumph. Anson revealed that FIFA president Sepp Blatter had spoken to the members of the "evils of the media" just before they voted - and some have blamed BBC Panorama and Sunday Times investigations for a backlash against England.

He also said that countries such as England were hampered by the need to maintain "straight, ethical" standards, with the implications that some rivals were free to exploit grey areas in the bidding process. Asked if he would advise England to bid again Anson said: "I would say right now don't bother until you know that the process is going to change to allow bids like ours (a chance] to win.

"When you have the best technical bid, fantastic inspection visits, the best economic report, and from what people told us the best presentation it's quite hard to stomach that seemed to count for absolutely nothing. Having only 22 guys voting gives them too much influence. With so much power it becomes very difficult. FIFA need to look at it - it makes it very easy for formidable competitors like Russia and Qatar to gain influence."

Anson added: "If you look at bids like ours, Australia and USA we are clearly accountable, we have to do things in a straight ethical way. I don't know what else happened but clearly Qatar and Russia are formidable competitors."

As the euphoria died down for Russia, meanwhile, the country grappled with the challenge of rebuilding crumbling Soviet-era infrastructure to host football's most prestigious competition. Local media hailed Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his deputy, Igor Shuvalov, for winning a "fairytale" victory.

"You can take me at my word: the 2018 World Cup will take place according to the very highest standards," Putin said after flying to Zurich to thank the governing body, FIFA.

Putin said the infrastructure would be ready on time and the $10 billion cost would be borne partly by Russia's biggest companies including Gazprom and the oil company LUKOIL. Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin gave a figure of 200 billion to 300 billion roubles ($6.38 billion to $9.56 billion), adding that the main expense would fall after the completion of the sites for the 2014 Winter Olympic Games. "The main expense load will be starting from 2013, after we finish all the Olympic sites," said Kudrin.

Whatever the figure, the challenge is huge. Russia must repair or build thousands of kilometres of roads and railway tracks while upgrading airports, telecommunications and hotels throughout the land.