SFA president and former Hibs chief Rod Petrie among final candidates for UEFA role

SFA president Rod Petrie is among the final candidates for a place on UEFA’s executive committee.

The former Hibs chief is one of 11 people from across Europe bidding for the position after making the shortlist, but he will have to wait until April 5 to find out if he has been selected.

Seven people from the shortlist will be handed a position on the committee for a four-year term.

Petrie says Scottish football’s “unique and rich history” will prove compelling to other associations as he cited the European attendance records held by Hampden and the fact Scottish football has, once again, recorded the highest match attendances per head of population in the continent.

He said: “Scottish football’s history is intertwined with some of the greatest games ever played and greatest goals ever scored in European football – from Real Madrid’s legendary 7-3 win against Eintracht Frankfurt at Hampden, before a still record crowd of 127,000 in 1960; to Zinedine Zidane’s iconic goal against Bayer Leverkusen in 2002.

“More recently, we have successfully co-hosted UEFA Euro 2020 and are actively engaged in a bidding process along with colleagues across the UK and Ireland to host UEFA Euro 2028.

“Off the field, the Scottish FA has recently helped form world football’s first-ever Para Football National Association and created an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board to ensure that we have world-leading policies and procedures in this vital area.

“With a population of more than five million people, Scotland is a middle-ranking country in terms of size, yet has again recorded the biggest match attendances per head of population in Europe.

“Our history and passion are well-known: we are big enough to mix it with the larger countries, yet small enough to relate to the challenges faced by other similar-sized nations.

“I want UEFA to continue to lead European football with strong and transparent governance; to grow our finances through balanced competitions and to ensure a sustainable, diverse and inclusive game for all – not just for today, but for future generations.

“I believe in the power of football – ensuring our game can maximise its reach across all communities in society. Football’s social, health and economic benefits are unrivalled, as UEFA’s Social Return on Investment research has shown in Scotland and elsewhere.

“I believe I can make a significant contribution on behalf of all of UEFA’s National Associations while also representing Scotland and Scottish football with pride and integrity.”

Others shortlisted for the role include representatives from Denmark, Spain, Albania, Georgia, France, Norway and Ukraine.