Stadium ok eases World Cup fixture fears

THE FAI's negotiating position ahead of Tuesday's World Cup fixtures meeting has been strengthened by the Government's decision which means Lansdowne Road will be available for competitive matches for the next two years.

The backing the FAI received from FIFA on foot the government's decision means the FAI will not be compromised in their negotiations when they sit down in Dublin with their World Cup opponents.

Explained FAI chief Fran Rooney: "FIFA have said they will be happy now to extend the derogation for the temporary seats on a match to match basis. Hopefully now we will not have to take any of our matches abroad, this decision has minimised the risk of us having to use another facility in the UK. The work will be done in a phased manner that will limit the disruption to the IRFU and our programme of matches."

It is anticipated that construction work will begin in 2006 by which time all planning requirements should be met and completed in 2008. And while a degree of disruption will be unavoidable, both organisations are determined it will be kept to a minimum.

With this in mind it is expected that a beginning will be made with the construction of a new east stand behind the existing structure. Construction work will then proceed on the north terrace.

The aim is to have work on three sides of the stadium virtually complete before the existing playing pitch is interfered with. The new pitch will be pushed east-wards to encompass the area now covered by the existing east stand.

Obviously there must be a risk that international matches in both codes may have to be played outside of Lansdowne at some point while construction work is proceeding. A best case scenario suggests it may be possible to limit that period to 12 months.

Philip Browne, chief executive of the IRFU put the financial implications of that into focus when he said: "A single large rugby international on its own contributes in excess of E50m to the local and national economy. When internationals and European Cup matches are added, this figure grows to well in excess of E100m."

He laid great emphasis upon the financial benefits of the plan and its importance as a "financial engine" to the development of rugby and the IRFU. Its importance for the Exchequer was also significant "The IRFU employs some 330 people and contributes over E6 million annually in PAYE and PRSI," he said. Mr. Rooney focused on the task of raising an estimated E83m between the two associations and said: "We would hope to meet that requirement through revenue raised from the pre-sale of corporate boxes, premium seats and ten year seats. This in turn will enable us generate more revenue for investment in football from the grassroots up, in developing our under-age and youth structures in readiness for the establishment of a national coaching academy at Abbotstown."

An important element of the Government's decision was the acceptance of a phased development plan for the sports campus at Abbotstown. This was facilitated by the FAI's commitment to base their administrative and coaching headquarters there.

Said Mr. Rooney: "We intend to be the first tenants of the future developments at Abbotstown. We see the Government's plans for the area as progressive and enlightened."

The IRFU, who own the Lansdowne Road stadium, will work with the Government and the FAI in setting up a new company to administer the re-developed stadium.

It is believed the broad outlines of agreement are already in place with the stadium being run on a commercial basis and future profits being re-invested in its upkeep and maintenance.

FAI treasurer, John Delaney, said the decision will help the organisation to put behind it the controversy that surrounded the abandonment of its original plan to build Eircom Park.

He said: "This is a totally positive plan from our point of view. The FAI last year returned a profit of E300,000, largely on the back of a profit of E2.5m from the World Cup in Japan and South Korea. That shows how dependant we are on support for our national team. Our upcoming match against Brazil will yield, hopefully, a profit of between E100,000 and E200,000 depending on advertising support and TV income. How much more valuable would that match be to the FAI and Ireland's economy if we had E50,000 seats to sell."

He added: "I hope those who were in favour of the Eircom Park plan will now see that this was the right way to go. Instead of carrying the financial risks on our own and having to worry about arranging pop concerts and 'Disney on Ice' we now have the financial burden shared.

"It is shared between the Government, the IRFU and the FAI and with the possibility of GAA matches being staged there as well a programme of matches can be set up to secure the success of the venture. It should provide an income stream that will enable us all concentrate on what we were set up to do which is to develop."