This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Leaders committed to Euro 2008
20/09/2002
First Minister Jack McConnell and the Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today told UEFA officials that they are committed to providing all the stadiums necessary for Euro 2008.
In a joint letter to Lars-Christer Olsson, Director of Professional Football and Marketing at UEFA on the final day of the inspection team's visit to Scotland, the leaders said:
"We very much hope that you and your colleagues found the Euro 2008 Inspection Visit to Ireland and Scotland informative and enjoyable.
"We understand that you require as much certainty as possible about the provision of stadiums for Euro 2008. You have now seen our four existing grounds at Hampden, Murrayfield, Celtic Park and Ibrox and we hope that you agree that they would all be first class venues for Euro 2008.
"However, we would also like to take this opportunity to reassure you about the four additional stadiums required for 2008. Both the Irish and Scottish Governments are fully committed to providing all the stadiums necessary for this world-class tournament. If we succeed in winning Euro 2008, both Governments expect to provide the eight stadiums that you require and to do so in good time for all of them to be tested in advance of the main competition. During your visit you have heard our plans in detail and you can be assured that these new stadiums will be modern with all the facilities you have specified and that they will match or exceed your required capacities.
"We are determined to do all that we can to support the bid by the SFA and FAI for Euro 2008. This is an unrivalled opportunity for our two countries to host the world's third largest sports event."
The UEFA inspection team has been visiting various sites in Ireland and Scotland this week as part of their deliberations on who will host Euro 2008. A final decision will be announced in mid December.