UEFA positive about joint bid

The Euro 2008 UEFA inspection team insist they have no doubts Ireland will be able to provide two stadia as part of the joint bid with Scotland for the Championships.

There had been widespread concern the Irish Government’s failure to secure public funding for Stadium Ireland would sound the death knell for the Euro 2008 bid.

But the UEFA delegation maintain a letter received from Scottish and Irish leaders – Jack McConnell and Bertie Ahern respectively – is enough assurance to help the bid.

UEFA director Lars-Christer Olsson said: “We didn’t have much doubt before but it is good to have re-assurance on commitment from the highest possible level.

“But, from what we saw and the people we met in Ireland, we already had enough reassurance.

“We don‘t doubt the capacity of Ireland to provide the stadia.

“In Scotland, it is unique having such big stadia in such a limited area.

“We had the Champions League final here and we know the standard of organisation here.

“With the assurances in the letter and from what we have been told on the visit, the Scottish-Irish bid can deliver the highest number of spectators.

“We have had answers to all our questions. The facilities are excellent and most of them are already in place.

“So the inspection team is very happy with what we have seen in Ireland and Scotland.

“It has met all our requirements and expectations so we are very happy with what we have seen.

“We had high expectations when we arrived and they have been absolutely matched during the five days.

“We will return home now and report to the different bodies who will take the decision later this year.”

The Irish end of the bid is committed to two stadia in Dublin with Lansdowne Road, the new ground and Croke Park all possible venues.

However, the GAA has historically excluded non-Gaelic sports from the 80,000-plus stadium.

But Football Association of Ireland secretary Brendan Menton maintains the Irish Government are still in negotiations with the GAA.

But Menton also believes the encouragement of developer Noel Smith can help the building of Stadium Ireland – dubbed ‘Bertie‘s Bowl‘ after the Taoiseach.

Menton said: “We are still looking at our options. We have every confidence we will provide two stadia in Dublin.

“The assurances contained in the letter from Bertie Ahern and Jack McConnell are very positive.

“We are still working on the option for all three stadia.

“We already have one developer who has publicly expressed his interest in developing Stadium Ireland.

“The Government have also stated they are in contact with the GAA.

“The nature of the bidding process is that you put forward plans to try and convince UEFA that you can deliver on these.”

But Scottish Football Association chief executive and chairman of the bid committee, David Taylor, believes the bid is receiving help from even higher powers than the European governing body.

Taylor said: “Even God has blessed us. Since Sunday, we have not had a drop of rain.

“Our visitors find it difficult to believe this is normal for Scotland and Ireland. So we have had a tremendous week.

“Last night, we had dinner with Sir Alex Ferguson in Glasgow. He is very much behind the bid with his knowledge of what is required at top-level football.”