SOCCER: The FAI said last night it has not ruled out the possibility of reviving its joint bid with Scotland to host the European Championships in 2008 in the event Switzerland and Austria are obliged to relinquish the event because of problems in relation to the construction of stadiums.
The issue has arisen because it has become increasingly apparent that the Swiss will not be able to fulfil their commitment to provide a venue for the championships in Zurich.
The successful bid, which provided for four stadiums being used in each of the host nations, had allowed for the construction of a new ground in the city; but a dispute between the developers of the facility, which was also to have included a major shopping complex, and local residents is now before the Swiss Federal Courts and will not be resolved by UEFA's December 31st deadline for the confirmation of venues.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter, himself a Swiss citizen, has now been asked by UEFA to intervene with his country's government in the hope of resolving what is seen as a political matter.
Speaking with Swiss journalists on Sunday, however, he confirmed a number of the associations that lost out in the bidding process, including the FAI, had made their dissatisfaction with the present situation known to him.
Blatter said the problems involved are serious and described the letter sent by UEFA to the Swiss Football Federation, the contents of which were widely reported by the country's newspapers over the weekend, as "a warning".
He added that "in my 30 years with FIFA we have never sent such a letter to the organisers of a major tournament".
Swiss Federation officials yesterday played down the seriousness of the situation and said they would respond to the issues raised by European Football's governing body well before November 30th, when they are due to present details of construction or renovation contracts for the four venues they are expected to provide.
They also said they would address concerns regarding the size of their security budget for the tournament over the coming weeks.
The FAI chief executive, Fran Rooney, was unavailable for comment in relation to the situation last night but a spokesman for the association said while nothing had been ruled out "our priority at this stage is the qualifying campaign for the next word cup".
He added the organisation would, however, watch developments in Switzerland carefully.
Scottish officials, meanwhile, were reported yesterday as having indicated their willingness to re-enter the bidding process in the event that the tournament is to be moved.
It appears, however, that by warning the Swiss and Austrians of their concerns at this stage, UEFA is attempting to avoid a repeat of the problems encountered with Portugal, which fell well behind with its preparations for this season's championship, before a late push enabled the country to stage a highly successful event.
