Decision on national stadium next month

THE FAI has welcomed a commitment by the Government that a final decision on the construction of a national sports stadium will be made by the end of next month.

Irish soccer bosses yesterday held a meeting with a group of senior ministers including the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, to express their concerns over the future of the Stadium Ireland project and its impact on the FAI’s joint bid with the Scottish FA to host the European Championships in 2008.

At least two business groups have expressed an interest in developing the so-called ‘Bertie Bowl’ at Abbotstown ahead of next Friday’s closing date for declarations of interest from private developers to build Stadium Ireland.