Scotland and Wales Abandon Euro 2016 bid

Written by Smithy on March 3rd, 2009

The Scottish and Welsh FA's have decided to abandon plans for a joint bid for the Euro 2016 cup finals.

In 2016 UEFA are expected to increase the number of teams compeeting from 16 to 24, meaning more grounds would have to be available.  During this ecenomic downturn securing finance would become an issue.

At the moment only France have entered a bid, with and Italy thinking very seriously about it.  Both countries already have football stadiums large enough to host the championship - capacity above the 30,000 mark is what's usually expected. 

The only stadium in Wales of that capacity at the moment is the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff.  In Scotland we have Hampden, Ibrox and Celtic Park in glasgow, and Murryfield in edinburgh.  Other possible stadiums in Scotland could include an upgraded Tynecastle or Eater Road, a new joint Dundee and Dundee United stadium in Dundee and a new stadium for Aberdeen.

Rob Shorthouse, SFA cumminications suprimo commented "Scotland would put on a hell of a show, it would be a great championships and as we go forward maybe they'll be other opportunities to do it again"

Scotland will now put all their effort in to securing a place in the 2010 world cup finals, being held in South Africa.

Posted in: Scottish FA

SFA in talks for joint bid to host European Champioonships – Edinburgh Evening News

Written by Smithy on December 4th, 2008

SFA in talks for joint bid to host European Champioonships - Edinburgh Evening News

SFA in talks for joint bid to host European Champioonships

Published Date: 03 December 2008
The Scottish Football Association today confirmed holding "tentative" talks with Wales and Northern Ireland over co-hosting the 2016 European Championships.
Scotland's dream of staging the tournament in eight years' time appeared to have ended in September when UEFA announced they were increasing the number of finalists from 16 to 24.

The country lacks the infrastructure to host an expanded tournament but the SFA are looking to link up with one of their near neighbours in the hope a joint bid will be successful.

An SFA spokesman told PA Sport tentative talks had been held with both Wales and Northern Ireland with a view to linking up with one of them.

Meanwhile, UEFA general secretary David Taylor insists Scotland would be a "great place" to hold the tournament.

Former SFA chief executive Taylor, who was involved in the unsuccessful bid to bring Euro 2008 to Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, added in the Herald: "It would be terrific. But I must be careful here.

"My enthusiasm for and advice to any country could be perceived in the wrong way. Many countries in UEFA are capable of hosting the tournament."

Posted in: Scottish FA