Manchester United chief executive David Gill, ex-Birmingham director Karren Brady, Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe, Sir Keith Mills, Sir Martin Sorrell and the English Football Association (FA)’s former chief operating officer Simon Johnson are the six who have made way. The removed members will continue to advise the board.
Former FA chairman Geoff Thompson has been added to the new-look seven-man board, chaired by current FA chairman Lord Triesman.
England's bid has been severely criticised by Jack Warner, one of FIFA's executive committee members, and Lord Triesmanhas come under pressure over his inability to devote more than two days a week to his role.
“In our view, these changes reflect a positive development and send a loud message of an absolute determination to bring the World Cup tournament to England,” said Lord Triesman. “We've got to a point where the England 2018 campaign requires focus, determination and where everybody involved has a specific purpose to help us win the bid.”
Other countries bidding for the 2018 or 2022 World Cup are Australia, Belgium-Netherlands (joint bid), Indonesia, Japan, Portugal-Spain (joint bid), Russia and the USA. Qatar and South Korea are bidding for 2022 only.
