SFA rules out making a bid for Euro 2012

Published on Saturday 15 January 2005 03:10

THE Scottish Football Association will not bid for the European Championships in 2012, it was confirmed yesterday.

The Hampden Park authorities were considering another bid after the failed attempt - together with the Republic of Ireland - to land the 2008 tournament, which went to Austria and Switzerland.

But SFA chief executive David Taylor insists other priorities require the Scottish governing body’s attention.

Taylor said: "All of our available energies and resources must, at this time, be directed towards the development of youth football.

"This is essential if we are to help create a brighter future for the international team and for participation levels in Scotland.

"We know from experience that mounting a bid to host the European Championships can be time consuming and costly, without any guarantee of success.

"The Scottish FA board has therefore decided not to proceed with any bid, but will continue to pursue other opportunities to bring major football events to Scotland, as and when opportunities arise."

The SFA was unsuccessful in its joint Euro 2008 bid with Ireland despite high hopes early in the process. Problems arose over Ireland’s inability to guarantee two quality stadia and the heavy focus of the bid on Glasgow, which was to have three stadia.

First Minister, Jack McConnell, has also written to FIFA president Sepp Blatter expressing a wish to stage the World Club Championships in Scotland as early as 2007.

But, with the Scotland national team have slipped to 86th in the world rankings, the SFA and new manager Walter Smith are looking to address that before planning bids for major tournaments in the near future.