Irish/Scottish Euro 2008 bid 'alive and kicking'

Ireland and Scotland’s bid to co-host the 2008 European Championships is “alive and kicking”, a top official from European football’s governing body said tonight.

Fears had been expressed that the Irish portion of the bid would not be able to fulfil its commitments after the Government refused to finance a new national stadium.

However, Mike Lee, UEFA’s director of communications, who was part of a delegation from the body which visited Dublin to view the facilities, said he was very impressed with what he had seen, adding the bid is “still in the race”.

Brendan Menton, the secretary of the Football Association of Ireland said the delegation had been reassured in a meeting with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern that possible private finance was in the pipeline for a new stadium.

Mr Lee said there were still loose ends that needed to be tied up, but with the final bid presentations not due to be made until December 11, he said there was time to sort them out.