The Scottish Football Association has not yet ruled out a solo bid to host the European Championship finals in 2012 if the increasing uncertainty over the tournament culminates in Uefa taking it away from Poland and Ukraine.
Fresh doubts over the capability of the eastern European co-hosts to stage the competition were raised yesterday when the Polish government appointed an administrator to run the country`s FA following investigations into corruption in domestic football.
Both Uefa and world governing body Fifa ferociously oppose government intervention in football and made a joint statement hinting at the possibility of suspending Poland from all levels of the game. The situation will be discussed at the next meeting of Fifa`s executive committee on 23 October. If the ultimate sanction is taken, Poland would lose the right to co-host Euro 2012.
"Our position regarding Euro 2012 is straightforward," said SFA chief executive Gordon Smith. "If, in the event of it being taken away from Poland and Ukraine, it was opened to bids, then we would seek to establish if a bid from us would be considered by Uefa. If the response was positive, then we would undertake a feasibility study along with the Scottish government to decide if we would bid."
It is understood the SFA would consider a solo bid, though a joint bid with Wales remains a possibility. Uefa is believed to favour Germany, Italy or Spain as an alternative.
