KEY POINTS:
SWITZERLAND - European soccer's governing body UEFA is to consider a report into the possible expansion of the European Championship finals at its Congress in Croatia later this month.
UEFA said on Thursday that it would present the report to delegates from the continent's national associations during the Jan. 31 meeting in Zagreb.
UEFA spokesman William Gaillard said a final vote on the matter would be taken by the organisation's executive committee at a later date.
The report, which has been prepared by an external consultancy firm, has investigated the effects of increasing the size of the final competition from its current number of 16 teams.
Gaillard said various models had been considered up to a maximum of 24 teams.
"They have looked at different numbers and the overall effect of making such changes, including the possible effect on the qualifying round," Gaillard said.
"By expanding the number of teams in the final competition you could actually make the qualifying tournament less interesting so all these factors have to be taken into account."
Any expansion to the tournament could also reduce the chances of smaller nations hosting the event due to the need for more stadiums, hotels and training facilities.
UEFA have already said that any changes to the tournament's format will not be made until the 2016 competition at the earliest.
Switzerland and Austria will co-host Euro 2008 in June while the 2012 edition will be held jointly by Poland and Ukraine.
- REUTERS
