Soccer: Euro 2008 bid in doubt over govt split

Ireland’s hopes of entering a joint bid with Scotland to host the 2008 European Championships are in doubt this morning because of an apparent split in the Government.

The Progressive Democrats have reportedly refused to sign a letter endorsing the bid because of fears that it would make the construction of the controversial Stadium Ireland an inevitability.

The Irish Government was expected to commit to the bid along with the Scottish Executive last night.

Government sources have dismissed the claims of a split in the cabinet as pure speculation, while Scotland said it expects formal support for the bid from Dublin before tomorrow, when the deadline for submitting offers expires.