Stadium blow for organisers of Euro 2008

THE organisers of Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland have dropped plans to use a new football stadium in Zurich after a long-running battle with environmentalists in the Swiss city.

The Swiss and the Austrians won the right to host the tournament ahead of a joint bid by Scotland and Ireland.

Last night's announcement means the organisers will be forced to use seven stadiums instead of the planned eight for the tournament in the two countries, the Swiss football federation (SFV) said in a statement.