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Scotland to host Euro 2016?

International football Scotland
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Alex Salmond says he would support a Scottish bid to host the European football championships in 2016. The new first minister believes that planning should start now and that any application should be a solo Scottish bid rather than a joint one.

He told BBC Sportsound: "There's no reason why Scotland can't submit a bid and any preparations need to be made now - and a single bid would be best."

Is Alex Salmond right? Should we be bidding for hosting Euro tournaments? And should we be going it alone, or would a joint approach with Ireland or Wales stand a better chance?

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comment by el-nickpcr-io (U8252231)

posted May 18, 2007

The joint bid with Ireland has failed once before, looks like it'd be Wales.

Would be nice, but I can't see it happening to be honest. The FAW (welsh FA would be well up for it, but holding a tournament in two counries that don't even boarder each other? Seems tricky.

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comment by Reporter 1087 (U1647806)

posted May 18, 2007

it all seems down to politics in UEFA on who gets the award. Lenart Johannsen and Michel Platini both seem pretty keen for Scotland to put in a bid, so why not?

We are in quite a good position as with regard the stadiums. Murrayfield,Celtic Park,Ibrox and Hampden are ready now. Hearts should start work on increasing the Tynecastle capacity to 25000 this coming season, funded by Romanov, so the Executive and the SFA would need to sort out stadiums in Dundee and Aberdeen.

I suppose the main stumbling block is having 3 stadiums in Glasgow and 2 in Edinburgh.

I have no doubts that Scotland COULD hold a brilliant tournament.

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comment by brianmccorkell1 (U8391391)

posted May 18, 2007

I hope As will put money forward for a new stadium before they can get a tournament.
Hampden is a disgrace if the English can get get a new stadium then why can't Scotland.

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comment by ascotinmpls (U1657162)

posted May 19, 2007

Scotland's biggest hurdle will be that only 1 city can have 2 stadiums, and no city can have more than 2.

So, you would look at:

Murrayfield
Hampden
Celtic Park or Ibrox

We would then need development on:

Pittodrie
Rugby Park
Tannadice
Caledonian Stadium

Adding to make this even worse is that UEFA are looking to increase the number of teams in the Euro 2016 meaning we will have to have more stadiums that meet the capacity. IT ISN"T GOING TO HAPPEN!

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comment by mediumlarge (U5000657)

posted May 19, 2007

I think Scotland would need a joint bid, it would be cool if they could do something with Ireland/Wales or even the north of England, e.g. Newcastle, Man U and Liverpool. With the final at Hamden. It would combat the fact that southern england is benefitting from the olympics...

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