The Football Association of Ireland says the Government decision not to use taxpayers' money for a national sports stadium is a major blow for Irish soccer.
In its first public response to the decision, the FAI said it was seeking an urgent meeting with the Taoiseach to discuss the stadium issue.
FAI Treasurer, John Delaney, said he was also disappointed by comments from the Minister for Finance, Charlie McCreevy, which suggested that funding for sports bodies linked to the national stadium project was now under review.
A spokesman for the Taoiseach this evening said that the Government would be meeting with all the major sporting organisations over the next couple of weeks.
