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.

The FAI must be in a position to confirm the availability of two stadia for the 2008 tournament with UEFA before it makes a final presentation in December.

FAI general secretary Brendan Menton said the association had also been reassured funding would remain available for the sport.

Surprisingly, the issue of the controversial TV rights deal between the FAI and Sky was not raised by the Taoiseach during the meeting. It means live coverage of next Wednesday’s European Championship qualifying match against Switzerland will only be available to subscribers of the pay-channel, Sky Sports. Asked if the FAI supported the call by Communications Minister Dermot Ahern for Sky to make the game available to a free-to-air station, a spokesperson said it was a matter for Sky.

On a separate issue, the FAI welcomed the end of speculation about Mick McCarthy’s future following the appointment of Howard Wilkinson as Sunderland’s new manager. “It is understandable why clubs like Sunderland might be interested in Mick given his track record as Ireland manager, but we are delighted the speculation about his future is over,” Mr Menton said.