 | Hampden |
| How many five star football stadiums can you name? Now how many of these are in the same city? These may seem inane questions and the answers could be easily found out thanks to the internet. From our attempts to stage EURO2008 we know that Scotland has three five star stadia with two of these in Glasgow. Many blamed this fact as a major contributory fact to the fact that we lost out in the race to act as host, with Austria and Switzerland winning the prize. With Scotland tentatively suggesting they will bid again for the newly enlarged EURO2016 tournament with Wales critics will be suggesting that the SFA and the Scottish Government are throwing good money after bad.
However, no matter what you think of the SFA and their management of the game, they are not that stupid not to have spoken with UEFA officials to check if three grounds in one city would create a problem. I understand that a number of conversations were held well in advance of a pen going anywhere near the first draft proposal for Scotland hosting EURO2008 on this very point. UEFA would not want a member to waste time, effort and scarce resources in developing a bid when a fundamental issue would prevent the bid being taken seriously. UEFA officials mounted a tour off all seven contenders for the tournament and no mater how much you enjoy a junket I doubt they would have booked tickets for Scotland and Ireland if the basic criteria were not met.
 | Parkhead |
| The 24 team tournament will require more stadiums than we managed to propose when Scotland bid along with the Republic of Ireland for EURO2008. Scotland were going to deliver new grounds in Aberdeen and Dundee, along with improved facilities at Easter Road and the five star stadia at Murrayfield, Parkhead, Hampden and Ibrox. These would most probably be the bedrock for any future bid whoever we link up with. At the moment, the idea is for Wales to join up for a bid. This could be the flaw that prevents us welcoming the European football world in eight years time. Wales do not have a strong football base or league structure. While there are pockets of football within the Principality, Wales is known as a rugby stronghold with the Millennium Stadium the jewel in the stadia crown.
 | Ibrox |
| I am sure that the Walsh FA would be able to persuade their rugby counterparts to work alongside them and utilise rugby grounds for the tournament but I am worried over the Welsh FA's status and influence in the world of football. It is not always what you know or what you can provide that wins the right to host a tournament but who you know. I know every bid is examined on an equal status and everything is above board but the corridors of power when officials can mingle and chat over coffee etc is often where deals are made or broken. Can the Welsh add a strong voice to the Scottish supporters already working within UEFA?
David Taylor, ex SFA chief executive in now Michel François Platini's right hand man in UEFA. Can you imagine Taylor, who led and presented Scotland's EURO200 bid, allowing Scotland to make basic mistakes in meeting the current criteria let alone any changes that will be announced ahead of the opening of the bidding for EURO2016? Any bid will need all the friends they can get and, despite being the land of song, I am not sure that Wales will be able to add that many voices of the right tone to Scotland's choir.
Current requirements for EURO championships hosts must deliver.
Minimum capacity of 50,000 (5-star venues) / 30,000 (4-star venues) - individual seats with backrests. (Venues that still have individual seats without proper backrests will still continue to be accepted. In future, however, closer attention will be paid to this aspect, and which will influence the committee's decision regarding the addition of venues to these list categories.) Pitch dimensions of 105 x 68 m. The field of play must be in pristine condition and be prepared accordingly for a final (quality of grass, irrigation, smooth surface, etc.). Protective fences around the field of play are not acceptable. Venues which have such installations will not be included on the list. Sufficient room around the field of play for advertising boards and at least 18 TV cameras. In addition, there must be enough room between the goals and the first row of spectator seats behind both goals for a maximum of 150 photographers. First-rate dressing-rooms for both teams and the referees (equal size and furnishings for both teams, spacious, bright and clean). Suitable and appropriately equipped drug-testing room. Floodlighting of a minimum intensity of 1,400 lux (eV) in the direction of the main camera, and of 1,000 Lux (eV) towards the other areas of the stadium, plus an efficient emergency power supply able to provide, without interruption, the same luminous light intensity as the main lighting. Modern security installations (access monitoring system, adequate PA system, etc.). A permanent TV surveillance system in colour that is able to monitor the movement of spectators, as well as their behaviour inside and outside the stadium. This installation must also be able to produce still shots of any troublemakers, which can then be distributed immediately to the security officers / stewards in the stadium. Clear signage that everyone can understand inside and outside the stadium, as well as in its immediate vicinity. Suitable covered seats for disabled spectators and their accompanying persons (minimum of two sectors with at least 50 places each). The areas for disabled spectators must be adequately equipped with toilet facilities and a refreshment bar. Acceptable sanitary facilities for spectators (both sexes) in terms of numbers, cleanliness and standards. Toilets without seats will no longer be accepted for spectators of either sex. Provision of first-rate media facilities in terms of camera positions, working places, TV studios, etc., in accordance with the "UEFA Guidelines for Media Facilities". Adequate first-class facilities must be provided for VIPs, including a minimum of 150 places in the Honorary Tribune VIP box. International airport(s) able to cope with the huge extra demands of a UEFA final (capacity for up to 60 charter flights per day in addition to the normal, scheduled flights) Adequate hotel accommodation. For UEFA and its partners, at least 1,000 five-star hotel rooms (UEFA Champions League) / 500 rooms (UEFA Cup) are needed. In addition, enough other hotel accommodation in all types of category must be available.
| Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba.net)
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