UEFA: Dublin will be heaven in 2011

THERE’S no need to worry — Dublin will be heaven in 2011.

That was the message from UEFA General Secretary David Taylor yesterday as he expressed confidence that the Europa League final in Ireland’s capital will be a huge success. Taylor says that while it’s “a great shame” that some clubs have chosen to field weakened teams in this year’s UEFA Cup, he remains confident that the 2011 final in Dublin will not be devalued.

The final of the Europa League — the restructured UEFA Cup — will take place at the new Aviva Stadium on Lansdowne Road but concern about the status of the competition has been sharpened by the recent decision of clubs like Spurs and Aston Villa not to put out their strongest sides in this season’s UEFA Cup games.

Speaking after yesterday’s launch of the 2009 League of Ireland, Taylor said: “Yes, of course it is a concern if it’s the case that clubs are not fielding their stronger teams. That’s their loss in my view and a great shame for the supporters. Clubs put so much effort in just to qualify, to actually go out meekly the next season without doing your absolute utmost best seems extremely strange to me. But I don’t think it’s a common pattern and I wouldn’t have any worries about the final in Dublin. You will have two great teams, a sold out stadium and a terrific atmosphere. It will be great.”

Taylor also described the new Lansdowne Road as “an outstanding stadium, a stadium fit for Irish heroes”.

On the international front, Taylor confirmed UEFA still has serious concerns about the readiness of Poland and Ukraine to host the 2012 European Championships — so much so that European football’s governing body will, for the first time, directly choose the host cities.

Taylor revealed: “In May of this year we will decide which will be the host city venues. And UEFA are taking that decision themselves this time. It’s a reflection of our concerns that we need to make the decision in terms of the whole package. Not just which city has a nice stadium, but more about the hotels, transport, accommodation, airports. We need to get the supporters there and back. We’re quite concerned, we’ve always said that.

“But both countries are working hard. These are very difficult financial times but you cannot fail to be impressed by the enthusiasm of the national and local governments.”

Taylor paid tribute to the FAI for being “in the forefront” of initiating cost control measures for club football and said that this was an issue which UEFA wanted to discuss with clubs and leagues across Europe.

Taylor said that UEFA would not impose conditions directly on leagues but “with the support and agreement of clubs” would set their own rules for their own competitions.

He admitted that these were “contentious issues” but said that they were important to address. “We want to work with clubs, we’re not trying to sanction clubs, we’re trying to work with clubs for the long term benefit and stability of football,” he said.