Despite being urged by MSP Brian Adams to go it alone for EURO2018, the SFA have decided that once bitten twice shy is a good maxim to live by. They will not be submitting a bid for EURO2012. We all remember the farrago that was the joint bid with Ireland for EURO2008. The SFA do not want to go down that painful route again and have insisted that other priorities require prior attention. SFA chief executive David 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 have 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."
This stance has not stopped First Minister, Jack McConnell, writing to FIFA president Sepp Blatter looking to allow Scotland to stage the World Club Championships as early as 2007. Thankfully, a club international would not distract new Scotland boss Walter Smith from trying to move the national team up the world rankings from their current lowly position of 86th.
