McDonald's unveil plans for Austria

As official partner of UEFA EURO 2008™, McDonald's is pulling out all the stops to ensure customers in Austria have an "unforgettable experience" at the finals.

'In full swing'
Managing director of McDonald’s Austria, David Newman is preparing to meet the challenge of the finals in Austria's 162 McDonald's restaurants. "Planning for UEFA EURO 2008™ is already in full swing at McDonald's. We will ensure that this major sporting event will be an unforgettable experience for millions of people in the restaurants and communities." Special UEFA EURO 2008™ products and free giveaways will help create a footballing atmosphere in Austrian branches, while customers will be able to watch matches in McDonald's restaurants and win prized match tickets as part of the Monopoly promotion.

McDonald's campaign
The restaurant chain will help enlist 682 children from across Europe to accompany teams onto the pitch at the finals, Robert Markowitsch - head of McDonald's UEFA EURO 2008™ Project Austria - said: "We are proud, as partners of major football events, to have contributed through the Player Escorts to help football-mad children realise their dreams and also to communicate the idea of sport, movement and football to children. This programme also helps children from all over the world to get together and form a team that transcends nationality, origins or religion. The programme is designed to tap into enthusiasm for sport, especially among children."

Advertising campaign
As part of McDonald's advertising campaign for the finals, a specially branded airbus will transport passengers from London, Paris, Athens and Frankfurt. On the ground, 30 Hyundai Tucsons will support the advertising for the Player Escorts. There will be McDonald's restaurants in the fan zones at the finals with McCafés in the area around Vienna Town Hall and in the media centre at Ernst Happel Stadium.

McLeish decision shocks Scotland

Alex McLeish has stepped down as coach of Scotland with Scottish Football Association president George Peat sorry to lose "an outstanding manager".

'With regret'
In an announcement on Tuesday, Peat said: "It is with regret that I can confirm that Alex McLeish has notified the Scottish FA that he has resigned from his position as national team coach with immediate effect. I am disappointed that Alex has chosen this course of action. He is an outstanding manager who has done a fantastic job with the national team."

Birmingham link
The 48-year-old McLeish took over as Scotland manager in January 2007 after Walter Smith decided to return to Rangers FC, and took the national team to within one win of a place at UEFA EURO 2008™, missing out with a 2-1 home defeat by Italy in their final game. The former Aberdeen FC player was previously coach of Motherwell FC, Hibernian FC and Rangers and has been linked with the vacant post at Birmingham City FC in recent days.

Contract offer
He attended the recent 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying draw in South Africa, with Scotland being drawn against the Netherlands, Norway, F.Y.R. Macedonia and Iceland. "Everyone at the SFA and indeed Scotland fans around the world were looking forward to Alex leading us into the World Cup qualification campaign," added Peat. "This is why we chose to offer Alex an extended contract while we were in South Africa. Sadly, he has chosen not to take up this offer."