Wait and see for FAI on Euro ’20

Now the FAI have completed the legwork to prepare and submit their bid to see Dublin secure one of the 13 hosts cities for Euro 2020, chief executive John Delaney and his team must wait until September to discover their fate.

Yesterday’s deadline for the final pitch to Uefa saw 28 cities in total stake their claims in the form of a technical bid. Like all their other candidates craving the nod from Uefa’s board, the FAI has received government backing on a proposal that could generate upwards of €20 million to the economy on the whole.

Of the 13 successful cities, two are expected to be awarded to the ‘western’ region encompassing the bids of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Wembley Stadium is a sure bet to host games, up to including at least one quarter-final, leaving the Scots, Welsh and Irish to vie for the one remaining berth this side of the continent.