UEFA bosses 'very happy' with Irish facilities in Euro 2008 bid

EUROPEAN soccer bosses, assessing Ireland's joint bid to host Euro 2008, yesterday said they were "very happy" with the facilities inspected in Dublin last week.

UEFA director Lars-Christer Olsson, one of the seven-man inspection team, said they harboured no doubts about the ability of Scotland and Ireland to stage the tournament even though the Government said a new national stadium would not be publicly funded and the GAA has refused to allow soccer fixtures at Croke Park.

The bid hinges on Scotland providing six stadiums and Ireland two.