EXCLUSIVE: Bring on the Scots: Home internationals could be back... as long as they don't beat Italy

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The FA have discussed staging a one-off Home Nations championship at Wembley next summer if England and Scotland fail to qualify for Euro 2008.

Under pressure to fill their new £757million stadium, and aware of the lack of interest there would be in England should Steve McClaren and his side miss out on a trip to Austria and Switzerland, the FA see the resurrection of the old tournament as a way of luring fans back and, possibly, even providing a new manager with something to focus on next summer.

Look who's talking: The SFA's Smith

Because Scotland, if they beat Italy, and England, if results go their way, could yet secure their passage to Euro 2008, talks on the subject are in the very early stages.

A possible tour to America has also been mentioned but some Soho Square insiders see the Home Internationals as the perfect way to ease the sense of disappointment if England miss out and they already believe they will have an ally in Scottish FA chief Gordon Smith.

'It's something that has been mentioned as a possibility,' said one FA source last night.

'There is a need to fill Wembley and while we might have to play a game at Hampden as well, playing the “auld enemy” would hopefully capture the public's imagination.'

However, the tournament would not take place if England fail to qualify but Scotland beat Italy this weekend. The FA recognise that the Scots would have to be involved. It is also understood the Republic of Ireland would be keen to join in.

'If we do have a new manager by next summer, it would give him something to prepare for,' added the FA source. 'It is not going to be easy to motivate players if there isn't another competitive game until September 2008. A one-off home nations championship could be a solution.'

Smith admitted there had been talks with the FA, saying: 'There's a lot of work to be done, but we've discussed it.

The big problem is dates — whether any TV stations would want it is another question. But the main thing about it is we'd like to return to having games against home international nations, especially Scotland- England, which I think has been missed by the Scottish people.'

The last Home International series was in 1984 but one of the most memorable occasions was in 1977 when Scotland's 2-1 win at Wembley sparked an infamous pitch invasion.

UEFA president Michel Platini insists the FA will have to work hard to make him back England's bid to stage the 2018 World Cup.

He said last night: 'If there are two or three European countries going to bid, they all have to convince me. Why England? Why not Russia or the Netherlands? We will look.'

 

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