"It is a joint bid between our two clients," he confirmed.

Washington and Baltimore are planning to make a joint bid for the 2012 Olympics.

Making a joint bid with another spirits company could theoretically give Pernod the mass to get a deal done.

But whether a joint bid might later be revived is uncertain.

The two companies had previously submitted a joint bid for the assets of Seafrance which was turned down.

So Scotland and Wales can put in a joint bid then.

Yesterday's developments followed the collapse early Wednesday morning of talks between the two sides on making a joint bid.

Five countries were put on the shortlist to host the tournament including one joint bid.

No specifications were made then regarding a joint bid with Portugal.

Broadcast details for the joint bid were never released.