Sheffield not so united over Cup

The club's legal team have written to Sheffield City Council to query how "planning issues" were handled amid continuing unhappiness over how the final selection was made.

Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough ground was chosen last month as one of 15 potential venues for England's bid to host the World Cup in 2018.

United's chairman, Kevin McCabe, told the club's annual general meeting a week later that he was "flabbergasted" by the choice and would be seeking clarification as to why the Football Association had not chosen Bramall Lane.

The FA last night said it had received no formal contact from United, but the council released a statement confirming representations had been made.

A spokeswoman said: "Sheffield United, through their lawyers, has asked a number of questions in relation to planning issues – to which we have already replied. It is up to Sheffield United if they wish to make public the questions that they have asked."

United declined to comment last night, but it is understood the letter to the council is part of a previously stated promise to seek clarification on the bid process and final choice. No decision on any further legal action has yet been made.

The FA has so far declined to explain the choice of Hillsborough, though it is understood the open space around the ground, including Hillsborough Park, rather than the stadium itself was one of the key considerations. Bramall Lane is relatively hemmed-in by nearby housing.

Both clubs submitted planning applications to upgrade their grounds to capacities of just under 45,000, in line with bidding requirements. United's were submitted in early August and approved on November 2, while Wednesday's went in later in August and were approved on October 20.

In a statement, council chief executive John Mothersole said: "I can confirm that Sheffield City Council has acted in a totally transparent and professional way throughout the planning process. Both clubs, as with all applications, have been treated fairly and equally following the relevant statutory processes, policies and guidelines."

The issue of how the stadium improvements will be funded is outside the planning process but the FA confirmed Wednesday had signed a guarantee, in line with other bidding clubs, that it could deliver the planned improvements at Hillsborough.

Costs – estimated at 22m – will fall on the club with the council and regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward, confirming they had not guaranteed any funding for the stadium. Wednesday are hopeful some of the improvements may still be funded by public money, as part of the upgrade involves community facilities.

Sheffield City Council has estimated hosting World Cup games will cost the public purse 15m in terms of marketing, fans' festivals, transport and provision of training sites but will be worth up to 140m in economic benefits.

The FA will submit England's final bid to the international governing body FIFA in May. FIFA will make a decision on which country hosts the World Cup in December.

England is seen as one of the front runners, although there is strong competition with a joint bid from Spain and Portugal and one from Russia considered as potential winning destinations. Australia and the US are among the other countries in the running.