Euro 2008: Lansdowne only available if Bertie Bowl goes ahead

There’s been a fresh twist in row over what stadiums Ireland can use if it is to host the Euro 2008 Football Championships.

The Irish Rugby Football Union says it will only re-develop Lansdowne Road if the Government’s proposed national stadium goes ahead. Until now, it had been assumed that Lansdowne Road was the one certain stadium to be involved in the bid, with either the so-called Bertie Bowl, or Croke Park being used as the other.

Now, the IRFU says it will only proceed with the refurbishment of Lansdowne Road, which would reduce its capacity from 49,000 to 33,000 for rugby games, if the National Stadium was able to host matches of higher capacity.

If the National Stadium doesn’t go ahead, the IRFU says it doesn’t think it’s feasible for Croke Park to host hurling, football, soccer and rugby - and therefore it will not be reducing the capacity of Lansdowne Road.

It’s the latest development in the bid for Euro 2008, which was formally submitted to UEFA by both the FAI and the Scottish-FA today.