Bud: We won't be backing Premier

Budweiser said today they are more concerned with sponsoring the World Cup than the Premier League.

And they denied they had been involved in the final round of bidding for England's top competition.

The Premier League are searching for a new sponsor after Carling pulled out of negotiations to renew their deal, which runs out at the end of the season.

Kerry Bebe, marketing director of Anheuser-Busch Europe said: "Budweiser, the official beer sponsor of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, is committed to supporting football on a global scale.

"Contrary to rumours and speculation we were not involved in the final bidding process for Premier League sponsorship.

"The FA Premier League is an outstanding sports property. However, we feel it is important to focus our energies and activities into making the upcoming FIFA World Cup the best ever for fans across the world."

The Premier League say their dealings with the interested parties will remain confidential.

"The FA Premier League commands enormous interest particularly in the title sponsorship market," said a spokesman today.

"We have never revealed who the potential title sponsors might be as we enter the final stages of negotiations.

"We will continue to respect that those involved should be afforded confidentiality."