Last updated : 21 September 2002 By Ed_ScottishFitba
Neither may be still in post come 2008 but they support the idea now
We have obtained the transcript of the letter which was handed to UEFA delegates at the end of their tour of inspection. The letter signed by Jack McConnell and Bertie Ahern covers aspects of the visit and also provides the governments commitments to provide all eight stadiums required for EURO2008.
The letter was addressed to Lars-Christer Olsson, UEFA's Director of Professional Football and Marketing.
20 September 2002
Dear Mr Olsson,
We very much hope that you and your colleagues found the EURO2008 Inspection Visit to Ireland and Scotland informative and enjoyable. Should you require any further information on any aspect of our bid, we - the bid team and both Governments - stand ready to assist in whatever way we can.
We understand that you require as much certainty as possible about the provision of stadiums for EURO2008. 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 EURO2008.
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 EURO2008, 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 EURO2008. This is an unrivalled opportunity for our two countries to host the world's third largest sports event. Please let us know if there is anything further that we can do to assist you in making your decision.
