Euro 2008 inspection team visits Glasgow
SubscribeRob Burgess 19 September 2002
UEFA’S INSPECTION team will visit Hampden Park in Glasgow on Thursday as they continue their five-day tour of Scotland and Ireland to assess the countries’ joint bid to stage the 2008 European Football Championships.
UK Sport has committed up to £320,000 from its World Class Events Programme towards the costs of bidding for the tournament. Scotland and Ireland face tough competition from six other candidates, including a particularly strong joint bid from Austria and Switzerland.
On Wednesday the delegation was in Edinburgh where they visited the proposed sites of the tournament draw (Usher Hall and Edinburgh International Conference Centre), Hibernian Football Club’s redeveloped stadium at Easter Road and Murrayfield, home of the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU).
For the first time in its 78-year history, the 67,500 all-seater stadium was marked out as a football pitch, complete with goals.
"Murrayfield Stadium is one of the finest in Britain and we are delighted that it has been included in the Euro 2008 bid," said Bill Watson, Chief Executive of the SRU.
"The UEFA team has seen the quality of all facilities on offer as well as the outstanding playing surface and cannot fail to be impressed. Let's hope that come 2008 we are hosting the Scotland football team for what would be a superb sporting occasion."
Earlier in the day, Scotland’s First Minister Jack McConnell hosted the delegation for lunch at Bute House. Sir Rodney Walker, Chairman of UK Sport, was also in attendance, reiterating the top-level support that exists for the bid.
On Monday, the UEFA team began their tour in Ireland, receiving a presentation on the proposed new National Stadium in Dublin before stepping out onto Croke Park, home of the Gaelic Athletic Association and a possible venue for Euro 2008.
"Following the recent debate on the stadia in Ireland I took the chance to assure the UEFA officials that we are as committed as ever to providing the quality stadia that are required in order to host the tournament," explained Taoisaech Bertie Ahern.
"Our proposed stadia and the passionate Irish fans will ensure a memorable tournament."
The inspection team conclude their visit at Ibrox Stadium in Glasgow on Friday. A final decision on the staging of Euro 2008 is due to be taken by the UEFA Executive Committee in December.
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