As Andy Anson and the rest of the 2018 World Cup bid leaders left Zurich on Friday, they must have thought it could not have been going better.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter had almost swooned at David Beckham’s feet as the former England skipper presented the weighty tome that was the FA’s official bid book to host the tournament, while the ­arguments being deployed had real resonance.

After the financial drain of South Africa 2010 and the ­problems already immersing 2014 hosts Brazil, England could offer something none of their rivals can match – the guarantee of a £3billion-plus cash cow for FIFA to milk.

Yet last night, bid chief ­executive Anson and his colleagues were engaged on a damage limitation exercise, desperately hoping the unguarded comments by Lord Triesman had not wrecked the entire campaign.

The fact Triesman was the victim of a despicable sting – with his former secretary Melissa Jacobs understood to have offered voice recordings as a “package” to various ­newspapers – does not alter the embarrassment caused both to the FA and the bid.

It is understood there is more to come next week, involving comments about the private lives of England players.

In his resignation statement, Triesman accepted the damage he might have caused, saying: “The views expressed were not the views of the 2018 Bid board or the FA.

“No one should be under any misapprehension that the FA or 2018 Bid board are disrespectful of other nations or FIFA and I regret any such inference that may have been drawn from what’s been reported.

“The 2018 FIFA World Cup Bid has made enormous progress both around the world and in the technical bid in England. I wish everyone associated with the FA all the very best for what is a very exciting future for the game we all love.”

Faxes of apology have been sent to Anson’s counterparts in Spain and Russia and to FIFA and – volcanic ash permitting – a delegation will go to Zurich to repeat those ­apologies in person and discuss the way forward later this week.

The initial soundings were understood to be positive, with supportive comments made by members of the FIFA hierarchy and other senior figures across the world.

But bid leaders did not attempt to hide the campaign had suffered a major and potentially savage self-inflicted setback, with the fall-out uncertain for a few days at least.

What is clear is there has not been the slightest thought of pulling out of the race, with the FA for once showing a vital unanimity of purpose and approach, including genuine sympathy for Triesman.

Prime Minister David Cameron has made public his support for the bid and Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Sports Minister Hugh Robertson ­reiterated the government stance and approved of the swift resolution as Triesman bowed out of the limelight.

Robertson said: “It would have been difficult for the FA to have sacked John Terry and for Triesman to have stayed on.

“I’m very impressed with the way it's been handled. The danger was this could have drifted on.

“I’m pleased they have acted decisively and they have done the right thing.

“Nobody could pretend this has been a good day.

“But the trick now is to refocus everyone’s attempts on the bid.

“It can be done and if you ­concentrate on the bid’s core strengths we can get over this.”