Axing of stadium a crisis in waiting

THE first crisis for the FAI as a result of the Government’s abandonment of the new stadium project will present itself in two years time when the opening round of fixtures in the qualification tournament for the World Cup of 2006 in Germany will be played.

FIFA have stated that federations will not be allowed to use temporary seating for matches in this tournament, so the Irish international team will be playing before a maximum of 23,000 spectators at Lansdowne Road.

A crisis could arrive sooner, however, if the IRFU decide to upgrade Lansdowne Road in the meantime.