Prime minister Tony Blair believes English hoolaginism at Euro 2000 destroyed England's bid to host the 2006 World Cup.

Talking on BBC television, Blair promised to clamp down on the hooligan problem which may have damaged England's bid beyond repair.

"Certainly the hooliganism business didn't help, but it was always going to be tough for us," Blair said.

"We've got to ask why there are certain groups of people who engage in yob violence."

Blair also believes England fans will struggle to shake off their reputation as troublemakers.

"Once the English fans get a bad name, then other countries' fans come looking for trouble," Mr Blair added.

Former sports minister Tony Banks, the government's World Cup envoy, also criticised "vicious and negative" coverage by the national media.

"If people feel that someone or something is vulnerable, the boots come flying in," Banks said.

"There is a feeding frenzy going on and we have had to put up with a lot of things in this campaign.

"One of these has been a vicious, negative attack on us as people who sensed we were not firm favourites."