Austrian politician puts boot into Ireland’s hopes

HOPES that Ireland might again be in the running to stage the UEFA 2008 European Championships have been dashed after a far-right Austrian politician pledged cash to make sure a vital stadium is built.

Soccer-mad Joerg Haider, who is governor of the southern province of Carinthia and president of local club FC Kaernten, was horrified when he heard the plans to build a stadium in Klagenfurt had fallen through. The intervention of Haider in diverting taxpayers’ money to have the stadium built will dash Irish hopes that the contract might be awarded elsewhere as specified in the deal to host the tournament signed with UEFA.

Under the contract, Austria needed to build the world-class stadium in Haider’s province. Austrian media reported last week that the country’s entire UEFA hopes could crumble after the German managers of the project were sacked for falling behind in attracting investment. Haider said: “Thanks to me the UEFA deal is safe. I will not have my province blamed for losing such a prestigious event.”