On England, Wembley and Euro 2016

The strange decision by UEFA to make the finals of their flagship international tournament, the European Championships, a 24-team affair from 2016 onwards means that the qualifying rounds are likely to be a lengthy, drawn-out process in which only just over half of the teams who enter will be knocked out.

England's comfortable-looking group, the lack of attractive opponents and the fact that even third-place in it will probably mean a play-off spot, has led to criticism of the FA which is unfair in my opinion.

Henry Winter, writing in The Telegraph, stated: 'England’s Euro 2016 draw against low-key opposition shows up fully the FA’s folly of rebuilding Wembley.'

Jan Molby, for Eurosport, said: 'England’s Euro 2016 draw highlights Wembley’s stature as a white elephant.'

The merits of building a new Wembley have been discussed at length in the past but a decision by UEFA some seven years after the stadium re-opened can hardly be used as a stick to beat the FA with.

“We are very aware that we need to price appropriately and make it as attractive as possible,” said the chief executive of Club England Adrian Bevington in response to the draw but, in all fairness, going to an England game is affordable in comparison to a lot of Premiership football (certainly in London) and there are a lot of family tickets available with two adults and two children able to watch the Denmark game next week for £60.

When I say affordable I mean, of course, in terms of ticket prices but is the location of the venue and often the times of the games which make Wembley unaccessible for many who would like to go and watch England in action, myself included here in Sheffield.

It would be great to have the San Marino game at St James' Park or entertain Lithuania at Villa Park but the die was cast a long time ago and within the constraints they work under I feel the FA do a good job and Bevington is right to point out that crowds for international games remain the envy of most countries.

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