Violence ‘may hit Austria-Swiss 2008 bid’

Scotland and Ireland’s bid to host the European Championships in 2008 has been dealt a boost by rioting Austrian fans, according to a senior Nationalist MP.

Angus Robertson, the SNP’s foreign affairs spokesman, said violence at a friendly in Eisenstadt between Rapid Vienna and Premiership champions Arsenal proved Austria had a ‘‘policing and hooligan problem’’.

The match had to be abandoned with 20 minutes left when Rapid fans clashed with police and the players were forced to take cover.

Austria and Switzerland’s joint bid to host the tournament is seen as the main obstacle to Scotland and Ireland’s chances of staging the event.

But Mr Robertson, who is also MP for Moray in Scotland, said he believed European football’s governing body UEFA would take account of the events when deciding who will win the race to stage Euro 2008.

He said: ‘‘I have no doubt this is a major blow to the bid by Austria and Switzerland for the 2008 European championships.’’