The FA’s bid to hold the 2018 World Cup has taken a blow today, as reports suggest both David Gill and Peter Kenyon may not accept a role on the bid team.

The Daily Mail has reported that both have reservations over being associated with a failed bid, while also suggesting that the pair are unhappy after Peter Hargitay’s role in the bid came into question back in May.

Hargitay is a former advisor to FIFA president Sepp Blatter, and was thought to have been able to use his reputation to the benefit of the bid, and to obtain many of the FIFA votes which will decide the bid’s fate in October 2011. It is understood that he had already spoken to 15 of the 25 members of FIFA, on behalf of the FA.

Peter Hargitay

However, in May; having narrowly escaped harm in the China earthquake, Hartigay was told by bid leader Lord Triesman that his role was in question, with worries about Hartigay’s plans not being expansive enough being cited. Having already announced that his company, European Consultancy Networks, had signed a seven-figure deal with the FA, Hartigay is considering both legal action and working for another nation’s bid.

Both Gill and Kenyon, who used to work together at Manchester United until Kenyon left for Chelsea in February 2004, are thought to be unhappy at the move, as is CONCACAF head Jack Warner. Last week’s friendly between England and Trinidad and Tobago has been cynically portrayed as an attempt to soften up Warner, but perhaps the plan will not be as successful as first thought.

David Gill - Manchester United Chief Executive

Gill and Kenyon are two of the most powerful men in the Barclays Premier League, so their absence, in addition to Hartoay’s, is certainly a big blow to FA bosses.

Peter Kenyon - Chelsea Chief Executive

Gill’s exclusion may be down to his duties at Manchester United prohibiting him from taking any formal role.

He told The Daily Mail that “I was a member of the FA board that decided to make a bid to host the 2018 World Cup and remain fully supportive of the bid.”

“While there has been no approach to play a formal role in the bid, I have a full-time job at Manchester United but will support the bid where time an opportunity permit.”

Peter Kenyon is yet to make any public comment on the issue.