A plan to expand the 2012 European
Championship from 16 to 24 teams is certain to become reality,
according to UEFA president Lennart Johansson.
Johansson said the Scottish Football Association's proposal will
be accepted at the UEFA Congress in Duesseldorf on Jan. 25-26.
``I am convinced that the majority will vote for this change,''
Johansson told the Frankfurter Allgemeinen Zeitung on Saturday.
The Swede said small countries find it difficult to qualify for
the final tournament.
``On the other side, the best players from small countries
regularly play in the elite leagues,'' Johansson said. ``The
difference in quality between national teams is smaller than
before.''
Johansson is seeking re-election as president of the governing
body of European soccer.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
