Austria and Switzerland's Euro 2008 bid is in danger of collapse. UEFA's senior inspector Israeli Jacob Erel is due in Vienna next week after launching a probe into allegations that Sturm Graz fans aimed Nazi salutes at Maccabi Haifa players this week.
Top UEFA policy-maker Erel is the director responsible for the smooth running of all competitions, including the Champions League and the European Championships, and he was shocked last night to learn of Israeli TV pictures showing chants of 'Heil Hitler' and 'Auschwitz', apparently coming from Graz fans.
As a key member of the bid inspection team which begins the first leg of a month-long tour in Switzerland and Austria on Monday, ending in Ireland and Scotland next month, Erel's intervention could be the final straw for an Alpine bid which had been the favourite until recent, disturbing events.
With the bidding war hotting up ahead of December's Executive Committee recommendation and a potential £400million bounty coming into view for the victors, Austria and its Swiss partners are reeling after the distasteful scenes in Sofia - hard on the heels of last month's Rapid Vienna-Arsenal friendly being abandoned amid neo-Nazi violence.
Wednesday night's Champions League qualifier was moved to Bulgaria because of the tensions in the Middle East and Graz officials were quick to pin the blame on local elements among the attendance.
Austrian police attache Markus Koppel, in Sofia as an official co-ordinator, insisted: 'It was not our fans - never. The Graz fans were shocked as they clearly detest Nazi glorification.'
However, Israeli TV reporters following Haifa are adamant that travelling Sturm Graz fans were responsible - adding that in each of the last two seasons serious diplomatic incidents have flared-up following tension around matches between Austrian and Israeli national and club sides.
Last night, Erel told Soccernet: 'I was not aware this had taken place and I will need to see the reports from the referee and the UEFA observer concerning the match.
'Clearly, this is something we do not want to see. But, as I am a member of the inspection team, I cannot comment until I have delved into this matter in more detail.'
Austrian officials have claimed in bid promotions that the Alpine Republic was the 'safe' option for 2008, 'free from football violence'.
Scots-Irish bid chiefs stayed out of the crossfire last night, although efforts to ensure no trouble occurs here continue apace.
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