Canadian oil and gas touted for Europe amid Ukraine troubles
April 24, 2014
The truth about inequality
April 24, 2014
The bid to bring European Championship games to Hampden Park in 2020 has been officially unveiled by the Scottish FA.
The international tournament will be spread across the continent for the first time in 2020 to commemorate 60 years of the competition, with Glasgow firmly in the hunt to be one of the 13 host cities.
The bid document will be delivered to Uefa on Friday and the governing body will announce the successful hosts in September.
Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government, along with other agencies, have joined forces with the SFA to put together the bid for games to be played at the 52,025 capacity stadium.
SFA president Campbell Ogilvie, described it as a “first-class” proposal, focusing on the history and tradition of football in Scotland.
He said: “Scottish football and Hampden Park are synonymous with excellence on the European stage – from Celtic becoming the first British winners of the European Cup in 1967, Rangers winning the European Cup-winners’ Cup in 1972 and Aberdeen doing likewise more than a decade later.
“With the stadium demonstrating its versatility as the host venue for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games I am sure the whole country – and indeed football fans across Europe – would be thrilled by the prospect of the Hampden Roar providing its unique soundtrack to the European Championships in 2020.
“Of course, it would be equally special if the national team qualified for what will be a very special anniversary tournament, staged in 13 cities.”
The chosen cities will host three group games and one knock-out match, with another city chosen to host the semi-finals and final.
The Government’s Sport secretary, Shona Robison, was at Hampden to give the bid her backing and she described Scotland as a “natural home” for great world sporting events.
She added: “We are a nation of sport fans, ready to welcome the best football talent from across Europe and take part in what will be a remarkable year for the European Championships.
“This isn’t a bid just for Glasgow but a bid for the whole of Scotland. Hosting part of UEFA Euro 2020 provides a perfect opportunity to continue our national legacy from both Glasgow 2014 and a platform to showcase our culture and country to an international audience.”
