Bradford supermarket chain Morrisons has instructed lawyers to see whether it can claim compensation from Fifa over its £1 million investment in England’s failed 2018 World Cup bid.

The company sponsored England’s bid and more than 1.5 million customers signed a petition pledging support.

But it has now confirmed it considers the governing body’s decision-making process unfair as it felt it had been intent on taking the World Cup to an “emerging country”.

The 2018 World Cup was awarded to Russia, with England’s bid securing only two votes from the 22 members of Fifa’s executive committee, while the 2022 tournament was handed to Qatar.

Morrisons wants Fifa to give £1 million to be invested in supporting up-and-coming football talent.

The supermarket’s campaign was led by former England captain Alan Shearer while BT created a virtual England 2018 flag with photos and signatures of thousands of fans.

Lobbying for England were Prime Minister David Cameron, David Beckham and Prince William.

Other famous faces lending their support included Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, James Cordon, Sting and Robbie Williams.

Richard Taylor, Morrisons’ director of corporate affairs and communications, said: “Morrisons was proud to sponsor the England 2018 bid. Over 1.65 million of our customers signed a petition pledging their support.

“The FA team put together a fantastic bid. On behalf of our customers we are disappointed that the merits of the bid were not recognised by Fifa, which clearly was intent on locating the 2018 World Cup in an emerging country.

“As we think the decision-making process was unfair, we have instructed lawyers in Switzerland to examine our options under Swiss law.

“We hope Fifa will do the right thing and offer £1m to be invested in grassroots football.”

Morrisons chief executive Dalton Philips has written to Fifa boss Sepp Blatter outlining his grievance, and the supermarket is ‘looking at its options under Swiss law”.

England 2018 leaders accused Fifa members of telling lies about their voting intentions after England were knocked out in the first round.

Fifa president Sepp Blatter last week said England were guilty of being “bad losers”.

He said: “I was surprised by all the English complaining after the defeat. England, of all people, the motherland of fair play ideas. Now some of them are showing themselves to be bad losers.”

No-one at Fifa or the FA were available to comment yesterday.