Four Nations football tournament 'could begin in 2011'

Scots fans will get to watch their team against NI, Eire and Wales

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Friday, 11, Apr 2008 04:05

The associations of Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland say their round-robin tournament may begin within the next three years.

In a joint announcement today, the four Football Associations confirmed that talks have been ongoing about the possibility of bringing back an amended form of the old Home Nations tournament, which was discontinued in 1984.

A team from the Republic of Ireland has been invited to take part as the fourth nation, despite the fact that they were not involved in the former tournament.

While many have advocated England making up an additional competitor in what would be an annual event, the Football Association has rejected such proposals on the grounds that it would be too difficult to arrange within the current international calendar.

In a statement, the four nations due to be involved have said this fixture congestion is likely to prevent the tournament taking place until 2011.

However, the wording of the announcement suggests three years from now could be a realistic start date for the inaugural event.

Rough details have also been announced about the logistics of the competition's organisation, including the fact that fixtures will be held in February and May.

Matches will take place "in one country on a rotational basis", the associations confirmed, with matches played as "double headers" on the same day to make the event "attractive to both the media and supporters".

The format "would provide respective international team managers with a meaningful competition in which to assess players", the statement added.

Without the involvement of England - traditionally the highest-ranked of all the nations within the British Isles - it remains to be seen how popular the tournament will prove to be among the public and the media in England.

However, the organisation and timing of the event may be key in establishing it as a regular and high-profile fixture in the British and Irish sporting calendar.