Euro 2028 organisers forced to draw up contingency plans over fears abandoned stadium won’t be saved in time

10 months ago 60

EURO 2028 organisers have been forced to draw up contingency plans over fears an abandoned stadium will not be ready in time for the tournament.

Belfast’s Casement Park is a former Gaelic football arena that has been empty since 2013.

First opened in 1953, it was granted planning permission for a major development in 2021.

And the new Casement Park was selected as one of the host stadiums for the UK and Ireland’s joint Euro 2028 bonanza.

However, the Times claims Belfast and Northern Ireland could now miss out on having an arena at the tournament.

Redevelopment plans for Casement Park have soared from £73million to over £110m.

Work has not even begun on the proposed 34,500-seater stadium.

And Euro 2028 organisers are now exploring other options amid fears Casement Park will not be ready in time.

The three matches it is due to hold would be split among the nine other venues across the rest of the UK and Ireland.

But efforts would be made to keep Northern Ireland involved by hosting pre-tournament friendlies.

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And the draw for the tournament could even be held in Belfast too.

The redevelopment of Casement Park has met opposition from some local fans and politicians, as it would be primarily used as a Gaelic football stadium after the Euros.

Former Labour sports minister Baroness Kate Hoey said: “The big worry is that there will be no legacy for football.”

Gary McAllister, the chairman of the Amalgamation of Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs, noted: “There are a significant number of Northern Ireland fans who are not happy for games to be staged at Casement Park in Euro 2028.

“Nothing that has been said or done since the tournament was awarded has reduced those concerns.

“We are seeing a rival sport [GAA] potentially benefiting from a huge investment in a stadium which will host at most [three] football games.

“The primary benefactor of a football tournament should be football.”

But Patrick Nelson, the chief executive of the Irish FA, added: “There is a disparity of views but this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to show the world what a wonderful country Northern Ireland is.

“We don’t have plans to play at Casement Park beyond the Euros but the legacy can take many forms — including more kids playing football, staying healthy, less obesity and better grassroots pitches.”