Stadium would boost economy

FAI CEO Fran Rooney yesterday said he believed a major UEFA final in Dublin would be worth up to €50m to the economy.

Mr Rooney welcomed the suggestion from UEFA that they would be well disposed to playing the final of the Champions’ League or the UEFA Cup in Lansdowne when the new stadium there is built.

“The prospect of hosting a major European final could provide a tremendous showcase for the city and the country. From a football perspective the attraction of a major final is mouth-watering but there are far wider benefits for the game and the country.” His comments were made in the aftermath of a visit by a delegation from the FAI and UEFA to the Sports Minister John O’Donoghue. The delegation included UEFA Vice President Per Ravn Omdal, UEFA Chief Executive Lars-Christer Olsson, the FAI’s President Milo Corcoran and Mr Rooney.