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UEFA set to expand Euros

28 Jun 2008 - 17:25:32

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The European Championship looks set to expand to 24 teams from 2016 onwards after UEFA delegates backed a proposal to increase the size of the tournament.

UEFA's executive committee will have the final say on the proposal at a further meeting in September, but the increase from the current 16 team format now seems certain to receive the green light.

"It's something UEFA have seen no real disadvantage to," said chief executive Gordon Smith.

"It will only means a few extra days of the tournament and there is no down side in terms of loss of revenue.

"The feeling in the meeting was everyone else was in favour as well."

Meanwhile, UEFA president Michel Platini has denied claims that increasing the size of the tournament will lead to a reduction in the quality on show.

"I am not worried about the quality by increasing the number of teams," he claimed earlier in the current competition.

"Countries like England, Denmark, Scotland, Ireland, Belgium, Serbia, Ukraine and Bulgaria all have the ability to participate in a European Championship.

"Would they reduce the quality of the Euro? I believe they have the quality to take part."