City in running for UEFA Cup final

Last updated : 03 July 2006 By Ben Collins
Hamburg's AOL Arena, the Ramat-Gan Stadium in Tel Aviv and Fenerbahce's Sukru Saracoglu Stadium are the other 3 in the running.

As well as a number of concerts, City's stadium has hosted the 2004 FA summer tournament involving England, Japan and Iceland. It has also staged a rugby league international and was a host venue for the Women's European Championship last year.

A UEFA delegation has listened to representations from City officials, along with those from the council, police, airport and other parties over the last 2 days.

“What we have, and what we and Manchester are very proud of, is not only the stadium but the infrastructure around it," City's head of operations Sara Billington told the official City website.

“The car parking, the proximity of the airport, the bus links, the safe walk route back into the city centre, all make it very spectator-friendly.”

“UEFA have been here frequently, firstly for the stadium to be put onto the UEFA approved list, then when we were in the UEFA Cup, and finally for the UEFA Women's Championship," she added.

“Every time they have been here, they have had nothing but positive things to say."

A decision on the host venue is expected in October.