LONDON - Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have agreed to set up a series of three biennial tournaments from 2009, officials said today.
However, there was no mention of any involvement for England in the joint announcement made on the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) website.
The
statement said the four associations had agreed "in principle" to set up the tournaments to be played on a league basis.
"The first tournament will commence in 2009 with home and away games being rotated from one tournament to the next and each team playing three matches per tournament," the statement said.
"Commercial arrangements and fixture dates are now being finalised."
The announcement follows media calls for a return of the Home Internationals after the four British teams and Ireland failed to qualify for next year's European championship.
It was the first time since 1984 that all five teams failed to qualify for a major tournament.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, a Scot, last week offered his support for a home international series next year.
The traditional post-season tournament ended in 1984 after 100 years.
- REUTERS
