Cardiff to bid for Uefa Cup final

The Millennium Stadium opened in 1999

Welsh football chiefs are hoping to bid for a Uefa Cup final to be staged at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium by 2014.

The Football Association's aim to host a major European club final is highlighted in their strategy document.

"It would be great to bring a Uefa Cup final to Wales," said Welsh FA secretary general David Collins.

"We hope to explore that possibility with the Welsh Assembly Government as we're planning a meeting with the new heritage minister Alun Ffred Jones."

The Millennium Stadium hosted FA and League Cup finals while Wembley was being rebuilt and Welsh Premier side TNS played Manchester City in the Uefa Cup in the 74,000-capacity arena.

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But the Cardiff stadium has never staged a major European soccer final, however it has hosted three major European Heineken Cup rugby finals.

The Millennium Stadium is a Uefa graded five-star ground but cannot host the prestigious Champions League final as it does not have enough room for the required hospitality guests.

The 2009 Uefa Cup will be staged in the Turkish city of Istanbul.

Welsh FA boss Collins also reaffirmed Wales' determination to mount a joint bid with Scotland to host the European Championship finals in 2016.

"There is still possibility of a joint bid," he admits.

"We should have three super stadiums; the Millennium Stadium, the new Cardiff City stadium and the Liberty Stadium in Swansea.

"And if the Racecourse redevelopment goes ahead, we'd then have four grounds to put into the hat with Scotland."