Stephen Looney
The IFA has agreed to set up a ‘focus group’ looking into Casement Park amid accusations that it is ‘wearing blinkers’.
The association has been under fire since it announced it was putting the GAA venue in West Belfast forward as ‘the Belfast venue’ for the Euro 2028 Finals.
The showpiece tournament will be hosted in the UK and Ireland with10 venues proposed in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The IFA nominated Casement Park despite the Co Antrim venue being in a poor state and requiring rebuilding.
At an IFA Council meeting at Windsor Park on Monday night, IFA CEO Patrick Nelson revealed the cost is expected to be £120m when pressed by several members of the ruling Council.
Chairman of the Association of Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs (AoNISC) Gary McAllister was one of the sitting members to question the CEO.
“Our biggest concern is risk”, said McAllister. “There has to be more certainty on the matter (Casement Park).
“Work has to start by June of next year, and we feel that could be a challenge.
“There is so much risk, surely we have to look at an alternative?
“We don’t know what it would cost to upgrade Windsor Park, but we don’t know how much it will cost to upgrade Casement Park yet.”
“The figure being talked about is £120m”, said Nelson.
“Work starts mid-2024 and assurances came from His Majesty’s Government that it would be done.
“In an ideal world, the National Stadium at Windsor Park would be our preferred option, but we were way short as the minimum required for stadium capacity is 30,000.
“We would have to increase the capacity by 12,000, and that would be both difficult and expensive.”
However, Mid Ulster FA representative William Burns countered with his belief that there was tunnel vision within the association.
“I believe the money could be spent here”, said Burns, a former Newry and Mourne DUP councillor.
“I feel the 12,000 seats could be done and I haven’t heard a Plan B.
“Patrick was asked if the IFA had a Plan B, and I don’t think he gave a straight answer.
“I don’t know why, but they seem to be wearing blinkers when it comes to Casement Park. All the eggs are in one basket.
“I feel there is one opportunity here to upgrade the National Stadium to be able to host major tournaments in the future, I think the current funding being talked about will be the end of it.
“My concern then is that we are left with a National Stadium that is unable to host major tournament finals, because that requires a minimum capacity of 30,000.
“I believe that could have been done at Windsor Park.”
“We want to ensure all bases are covered and that all our eggs are not in one basket”, continued McAllister.
“Can I request a focus group be set up to discuss Casement Park?”
Nelson and IFA President Conrad Kirkwood agreed with a date yet to be set for a meeting.