Brown suggests consolation match for football fans

Will Brown cheer on Scotland at Wembley next summer?

Thursday, 22, Nov 2007 12:00

Gordon Brown has backed calls for a British championships next summer after no UK team managed to qualify for Euro 2008.

Speaking the morning after England crashed out to Croatia in their final qualifying game, Mr Brown said a one-off restoration of the home internationals matches could improve the morale of British football fans.

Mr Brown told reporters this morning: "It's desperately disappointing that there will be no British teams in the European Championships.

"In some cases that is down to bad luck. In some it was bad results."

England coach Steve McClaren was sacked this morning by the FA after his side's 2-3 defeat to Croatia last night concluded a poor qualifying campaign.

Scotland also failed to qualify for the finals in Austria after losing to world champions Italy, but can at least claim to have beaten France twice in their group.

With Wales and Northern Ireland also missing out on Euro 2008, Mr Brown backed calls for a mini-championship next summer.

The prime minister said: "We have the Olympics to look forward to next summer. I know every football fan in Britain was looking forward to a summer of football next year so I know it's very disappointing.

"I know some people have called for a one-off revival of the home internationals. That is something for the FAs and clubs to consider. I would certainly enjoy that.

"I have got great memories from the 60s and 70s but that's a decision for the FAs."

A home international contest would once again throw Mr Brown's Scottish-ness into focus, with the prime minister facing the prospect of cheering on the Scottish team against England.