The Sunday Herald claimed today that the Scottish Football Association (SFA) chief executive, Gordon Smith, will put Scotland's name forward to host the 2012 European Championships if UEFA strip Poland and Ukraine of the tournament, with the final being staged at Hampden Park (pictured).

 

It has been widely reported that they fallen well behind in their preparations, and unless there is substantial progress over the next five months alternative hosts will be sought for the Championship.

 

UEFA'S director of communications William Gallard told the Sunday Herald that Euro 2012 would not automatically pass on to Italy - who finished second in the bidding - if Poland and Ukraine cannot stage the event.

 

He told the newspaper: "If that was the case, we would have to take a completely fresh look at the situation."

 

Smith said: "If Poland and Ukraine pulled out we would put Scotland forward and say we wanted to be considered for it.

 

"In the meantime we'd speak to the Scottish Government and try to get a feasibility study done as to the costs and what's required in terms of stadium upgrades."

 

A Government spokesman said. "If the SFA chose to investigate the possibility of staging the tournament and decided to apply to host it, it would have our full backing."

 

First Minister Alex Salmond has already said there is "absolutely no reason" why Scotland could not bid for the championships in 2016.

 

If it happened, it would make it a fantastic summer of sport for Britain in 2012.

 

The timing would also be convenient for the SFA, as the Olympics will be held in London that year.

 

The SFA is resisting pressure to contribute to a British team in 2012, but public interest in what is essentially an under-23 Olympic competition would pale in comparison to a European Championships being held in Scotland, the Sunday Herald claimed.

 

Smith said: "We've had a lot of encouragement from the Government, who've said that if we went for a European Championship they would be very supportive.

 

"They would have to be, because of the financial work required.

 

"We would need to get more stadiums up to specification - at Pittodrie, Dundee and Edinburgh."

 

The full article can be read at http://www.sundayherald.com/sport/nationalsport/display.var.2014903.0.the_venue_for_the_euro_2012_final.php