Casement Park: FAI make Northern Ireland pledge after plug is pulled on funding

Casement Park has been out of use for over a decade
-Credit: (Image: Photo By Justin Kernoghan)


The Football Association of Ireland has pledged that efforts will be made to ensure that Northern Ireland remains “part of the delivery” of Euro 2028.

FAI chief executive David Courell said Aviva Stadium is prepared to take on additional games after the plug was pulled on Casement Park's redevelopment for the tournament.

The UK Government announced on Friday night that there would be no additional funding for Casement in time for Euro 2028, delivering a huge blow to both the Irish FA and GAA.

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Courell says efforts will be made to ensure that Northern Ireland remains “part of the tournament delivery”.

“It is a UK and Ireland bid. Regretfully, that has not come to pass," he said.

“We remain committed to work with Northern Ireland and all of our partners to engage with UEFA to see how they can remain part of the tournament delivery.

“What shape and form that will take? Who knows, but there is an overriding sense of disappointment that they don’t feature as a host venue.

“Going back to the crux of your question, what does it mean for the Republic of Ireland?

“Of course there is a conversation that will ensue about what happens to the games that are scheduled to take place in Northern Ireland and I believe that our success in hosting the Europa League final this year means we have proved our capability to deliver major events in this country.

“The Dublin Arena is there if UEFA as the tournament owners decide to reallocate games. We would absolutely welcome the opportunity to host more.”

READ MORE: UK Government will not provide funding for Casement Park to be built in time for Euro 2028

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The Aviva Stadium is currently pencilled in for six games, the same number as Cardiff and Glasgow, reports the Irish Mirror.

Everton’s new stadium, Tottenham, Manchester City, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Wembley are the six English stadiums slated for matches.

Asked if Northern Ireland would remain a co-host in name, Courell replied: “That’s a conversation all partners will go into with UEFA.

“We would expect them to remain a co-host. They can still play a part in this tournament in a different shape or form.”

As for automatic qualification, would the uncertainty surrounding the IFA’s role going forward boost Irish chances of securing a spot, Courell said: “First and foremost we fully expect to qualify on merit.

“By virtue of hosting the tournament we also benefit from increased likelihood of automatic qualification if we need to fall back on that.

“The mechanism for that has yet to be defined by UEFA and obviously the developments of yesterday could play into that. I’m not able to prejudge the outcome.

“Again, we expect to be there on merit. If not, we expect to benefit from increased likelihood of qualification. What that looks like and the guaranteed nature of it is to be confirmed.”

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