The GAA has given approval for a UEFA inspection of Croke Park which will take place in September, it was announced at yesterday's Scotland and Ireland Euro 2008 bid.

The Scottish Football Association and the Football Association of Ireland yesterday submitted their bid document to UEFA ahead of the May 31st deadline and launched their manifesto with Alex Ferguson as ambassador in Glasgow.

John Henderson, bid director for the dual campaign, emphasised in Dublin yesterday that the Scottish/Irish have the strongest range of stadia regardless of whether Croke Park is made available. He also indicated the GAA article of association that bans the playing of soccer in Croke Park was not insurmountable.

"I think it is significant that the GAA are happy to have the lay-out of their stadium included in our bid document and with considerable detail. In Ireland, there are three possibilities - Stadium Ireland, Croke Park and Lansdowne Road.

"In Scotland, we have four stadiums that meet the UEFA criteria and will have an additional two. I am absolutely certain that we will have eight stadia that meet the criteria. None of our main rivals have stadiums of that size, nor will they have when the decision is made, or, indeed, when the tournament is held."

FAI development manager John Byrne confirmed that the association recently met government delegates in relation to the plans for Stadium Ireland but said he did not expect any imminent comment.

"I think it is a bit premature for the Taoiseach to be making comment given the on-going talks about the formation of government. But we are confident that two stadia will be provided. There was a formal meeting between the FAI and the Department of Sport a number of weeks ago to discuss this." The final decision on the bid will be made in December, with Austria/Switzerland regarded as the chief opponents.

"However, they have only two stadia that meet the criteria at present while the Nordic bid has only one in Gothenberg. And it was built for the 1958 World Cup, so it is quite old. We are in a very strong position in that regard," said Henderson.

The SFA/FAI bid team will give a verbal and visual presentation to UEFA later in June and in September will host a week-long visit of both countries by UEFA delegates. During that time, the infrastructure of the major cities will be examined, the range and choice of tourist accommodation will be studied, the policing authorities both here and in Scotland will be consulted and, of course, the existing stadia will be visited. Scotland and Ireland have guaranteed that they can provide 1.7 million seats for the tournament, 500,000 more than their rivals.

The deadline for actually completing the planned grounds for the tournament does not expire until 2007.

Henderson rejected the suggestion that the joint bid might be damaged due to the fallout that has followed Roy Keane's dismissal from Ireland's World Cup base in Japan. He felt that the recently held Champions League final in Scotland was the only significant factor in recent weeks.

The magnificent record of both Scottish and Irish football fans will be used as an intangible asset of the bid.

"Over the years, the Scottish and Irish supporters have been magnificent ambassadors for their countries wherever they've travelled," said Alex Ferguson in his address. "Bringing the European Championship finals here would be the perfect reward for them and long overdue."

In relation to the spiralling costs of the planned Stadium Ireland, Henderson admitted that his understanding was that costs increased significantly and disproportionately for plans that were any more elaborate than for a simple 30,000 stadia.

"You get what you buy. It depends what you want to buy. It's a bit like a house, it just depends on what you want."

Despite the uncertain beginning to this bid, which was initially compromised by GAA intransigence over Croke Park, the bid team is clearly confident that they can secure UEFA's confidence in December.

"We have a very strong bid. Sometimes in Ireland we tend to forget we have a wonderful chance of winning this. This is an exceptional chance and it may not come again," said marketing strategist Simon Lyons.

"Primarily this is because, we have a backbone of big stadia in existence, we have fans that are recognised the world over and now we have to convert them from great visitors to great hosts.

"And finally we certainly have government backing behind our bids. These are the three critical parts of a successful bid and UEFA know that," said marketing strategist Simon Lyons.