Ireland-Scotland 2008 Euro football bid fails

The joint Ireland-Scotland bid to stage football's 2008 European Championships, entitled 'We Can Deliver', has failed.

The announcement made at lunchtime today gave the nod to the Austria/Switzerland bid – widely regarded as the favourite among those that made the final cut.

Despite their obvious disappointment, the organisers of the Celtic bid could yet move to seek the nomination for the 2012 Euro finals.

However, it may have been Ireland's side of the bid which was the source of concern for the Uefa judging panel.

Six Scottish stadia – Celtic Park, Dundee, Ibrox, Murrayfield, Aberdeen, Hampden – and two Irish stadia – Croke Park and Landsdowne Road – comprised the bid. However, there was continued uncertainty surrounding whether the Gaelic Athletic Association, which owns Croke Park, would grant permission for the ground to be used for the tournament. This combined with speculation over the future of Ireland's proposed national stadium – dubbed the 'Bertie Bowl' – may have proved to be a risk on which the Uefa organisers were unwilling to gamble.

The decision could have provided a significant boost for the Scottish and Irish economies as the tournament will create 7,000 jobs and bring in £15 million to the local economy. It is anticipated that up to 400,000 overseas fans and 3000 representatives of the world’s media would give the host nations a global platform.

Gate receipts, advertising – in addition to hospitality income from hotels, bars and restaurants – for what is described as the third largest sporting event in the world will prove to be very lucrative for the host countries.

In addition to securing facilities, which will benefit football long after the visitors have gone home, the championship would, according to the Celtic bid's promotional material, "undoubtedly kindle new levels of national pride and optimism in both nations".

It is expected that around 1.7 million people will attend the matches, in addition to this there would be a television audience of around seven billion throughout the tournament.

(GMcG)