EURO 2028 is set for a major change to its originally scheduled plan, after the UK government announced it would not be providing funding to one stadium.
Originally, 10 stadiums across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland were due to host matches for the next European Championships.
However, Northern Ireland’s chances of hosting one such game now appear to be dead in the water.
The plan was for the country to host four matches at a rebuilt Casement Park in Belfast.
But costs “dramatically” rising by more than £220million have now seen that plan scrapped.
The UK government announced on Friday night that the estimated cost of rebuilding the ground now stood at more than £400m.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
Consequently, funding for the redevelopment project has now been pulled due to there being “significant risk” it would not be built in time.
In order to be ready for Euro 2028, the building project for Casement Park would need to be meet a Uefa deadline of being completed by the summer of 2027.
The ground, which would have seated 34,500, has been left empty for more than a decade and is now in a state of disrepair with overgrown grass and neglected facilities.
The announcement was made in a joint letter from NI secretary Hilary Benn and Sports Minister Lisa Nandy to Stormont Minister Gordon Lyons – head of sport in Northern Ireland.
Most read in Football
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
It read: “The estimated build costs have risen dramatically – from £180m when the EURO 2028 bid was awarded in October 2023 to potentially over £400m – and there is a significant risk that it would not be built in time for the tournament.
“We have therefore, regrettably, decided that it is not appropriate for the UK government to provide funding to seek to build Casement Park in time to host matches at EURO 2028.”
The news comes despite Primer Minister Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, Sue Gray, “pushing hard” for the Gaelic football ground to be funded.
Mr Lyons said his department remains “committed to the 2011 agreement with the GAA for a GAA stadium”.
He added he he will work with the government and other stakeholders to “ensure that there is a lasting legacy for football in Northern Ireland”.
The Ulster GAA branded the announcement “bitterly disappointing”.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Irish FA said it would “consider the implications of this with our bid partners and UEFA”.
Even if they do not end up hosting any matches, Northern Ireland could play a role as a training base or host warm-up games at the existing Windsor Park Stadium.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
The Times have reported that the four matches due to be hosted in Northern Ireland will be split among the other host nations.
The report adds that London’s Wembley, Dublin’s Aviva Stadium, Hampden Park in Glasgow and Cardiff’s Principality Stadium are the four set be handed an extra match.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
