Tuesday, 15 May 2012

Celtic Trio Consider EURO 2020



Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland have formally declared an interest in hosting Euro 2020.

The countries have told UEFA that they would be interested in bidding to host the European Championships on a joint basis.

Turkey have also informed UEFA that they want to want host the tournament, and reports in Georgia say the former Soviet republic is interested in a solo bid.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) said in a statement: 'The FAI has confirmed that it will join the Scottish FA and the Welsh FA in putting forward an expression of interest to host UEFA Euro 2020.

'The expression of interest is preliminary after the principle was discussed and is being put forward by the three associations so that the opportunity can be explored in more detail.

'At this stage no bids would be expected or required by UEFA for at least 18 months.'

Bidders would need to put forward up to 10 stadiums to host matches in the European Championships, which is being expanded from 16 teams to 24 from 2016.

Scotland and Wales would struggle to provide that number of stadiums to satisfy UEFA requirements but Ireland's involvement would cover the shortfall.

The formal declaration of interest does not commit the Celtic countries to proceeding with a bid however - a decision is not due to be taken by UEFA for 18 months.

The countries have not fared well in the past in bidding for the tournament. Scotland and the Republic of Ireland bid jointly for Euro 2008 but were one of the first to be eliminated, and Scotland and Wales considered bidding jointly for Euro 2016 but decided against it.

Turkey's bid is in some disarray already because their FA has been engulfed by allegations of corruption and match-fixing in Turkish football, and it also conflicts with Istanbul's bid to land the Olympics in the same year.

UEFA president Michel Platini had signalled he would support's Turkey bid but only if Istanbul fails in its Olympic bid.

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