FAI welcome Uefa's decision

THE FAI has welcomed the decision by Uefa's executive committee to rubber-stamp the expansion of the European Championship finals tournament from 16 to 24 teams with effect from 2016, writes Emmet Malone

"I'm very glad that our proposal has been approved by Uefa," said FAI chief executive John Delaney after the decision in Bordeaux yesterday. "A lot of hard work was done to promote this within Uefa and it is great to see it come to fruition. This has huge relevance for Irish fans as it gives middle-tier countries like Ireland a better opportunity to qualify."

The move, which means almost half of the member associations will be represented at Uefa's showpiece event with the traditional powerhouses of the European game virtually guaranteed of their places every four years, was championed by the Irish and Scots and met with little opposition.

While qualifiying will remain along current lines, the new finals format will feature 24 teams drawn into six groups of four with the top two in each group, and the four best runners-up, progressing to the last 16, an additional knock-out round before the quarter-finals.

The additional games are likely to involve the competition taking up to a week longer to complete.

Critics have expressed concerns the move will have a negative impact on the quality of the tournament's early stages and make it harder for all but the biggest nations to host the event.

In relation to the next staging of the event in Poland and Ukraine, Uefa has decided against moving the tournament or excluding either of the host nations from participation in the staging of the competition. But it has said it is continuing to monitor the preparation in both countries and has laid down several conditions that must be met if it is not to intervene at some stage in the future.

Uefa president Michel Platini, who led a fact-finding trip to the two countries in July, said yesterday the organisers had "erred because of a lack of experience and vigour". He expressed grave concerns over the lack of progress being made on the major infrastructural projects that are being undertaken as part of the two countries' preparations for the event.

The two associations have been informed Uefa will decide which stadiums and cities are to host games and that the participation of Warsaw and Kiev in the tournament is required. If there are any further problems, they have been informed, the some or all of the tournament may still be moved.

Meanwhile, Uefa also confirmed it is to reorganise and rename the Uefa Cup which will be known as the Europa League from next season. The key change is that at the group stage, which will involve 12 groups of four, clubs will play each other both at home and away.

It was also flagged yesterday that Wembley Stadium will be confirmed as the venue for the 2011 Champions League final. Confirmation of the decision is likely to come in December when the venue for the 2011 Europa League final is also likely to be decided.