No sole bid for Commonwealth Games from Manchester

Manchester will not bid to be a sole host of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, but would consider a joint bid with another city.

City council leader Sir Richard Lease has written to Prime Minister Theresa May after Manchester – hosts in 2002 – deemed it would be “inappropriate” for it to compete against other English cities.

Durban was to be the first African city to stage the event but in Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) decided the city did not meet the necessary criteria and said it would be looking for a new host city.

Liverpool has expressed an interest and installed former Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick is to chair its bid.

CGF chief David Grevemberg says officials are looking to make a decision quickly, adding that a joint bid would be considered.

The next edition takes place on Australia’s Gold Coast in 2018.