IFA 'confident' Casement Park on track for Euros

"We continue to work with all partners on the Euro project and are confident it will be completed in the appropriate timeframe"

The Irish FA says it is “confident” the Casement Park redevelopment project will be completed for Euro 2028.

It had been reported that Uefa has been looking for clarity on construction of the Belfast stadium, which has been derelict for more than 10 years.

The IFA said it was “aware” of the reports that the project is in danger.

“We continue to work with all partners on the Euro project and are confident it will be completed in the appropriate timeframe,” an IFA spokesperson said.

“Hosting the Euros will be pivotal for society in Northern Ireland and inspire people here for generations to come.”

In April, Casement Park was named as one of 10 stadiums in the UK and Ireland’s bid to host the Euro 2028 finals with a proposed capacity of 34,500.

The stadium, which is owned by the Gaelic Games Association (GAA), has been derelict since 2013 and numerous attempts to redevelop the stadium have hit setbacks.

The capacity of the stadium has been one of a number of issues that has hindered redevelopment including financial and legal challenges.

In November, the GAA announced it was seeking a new contractor for the project after the Buckinghamshire Group went into administration and Northern Ireland firm Heron Bros would not proceed with the redevelopment.

The GAA insisted that the decision will not jeopardise having the stadium ready in time for Euro 2028.

The Irish FA’s statement on Casement Park comes on the same day the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) endorsed a deal to restore power-sharing in the Northern Ireland Executive after a 23-month absence.

Original article published 30.01.2024 on the BBC Sport website.

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