LONDON (AP) — Premier League chairman Dave Richards resigned from the board of England's 2018 World Cup bid team on Tuesday following a recent restructuring.
Richards wrote to bid chairman David Triesman to say he wanted to leave the board but would continue to support England's efforts to host the tournament for the first time since 1966.
"With the recent changes to the England 2018 bid team structure, I feel I can now best support a successful bid without the necessity of sitting on the board," Richards said.
"My positions as Premier League chairman, FA board member and chairman of the FA's international committee provide me with ample opportunities to bang the drum for English football."
England trimmed its bid team this month to replace some of the politicians and businessmen on the board with sporting figures including former Football Association chairman Geoff Thompson.
Board and FA chief executive Andy Anson said Richards' decision to leave was a personal one.
"He clearly remains committed to helping England win and he'll continue to go around the world lobbying on our behalf," Anson said. "This is not a Premier League issue. Sir Dave has made his own decision about his place on the board, so we've accepted his resignation and we move on."
