The door to Stadium Ireland is still firmly open to the FAI following yesterday's meeting between Government officials and FAI Treasurer Brendan Menton. Menton met with An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Minister for Sport Jim McDaid for over an hour, with the FAI set to be offered a £40million package if a deal can be struck between the two.
The Government will formally propose its plan for football at the National Stadium in a document that will be forwarded to the FAI before next Monday's FAI management committee meeting in Dublin. With doubts still surrounding the controversial eircom Park project, soccer chiefs have become increasingly interested in using Stadium Ireland, which will also house offices for the majority of the country's sports governing bodies.
Menton confirmed the Government's blueprint will include options for the FAI, and explained: "From the FAI's point of view this serves the purpose of allowing the association to assess the risks and benefits of developing eircom Park or deciding to become tenants of Stadium Ireland."
Filed by Shane Murray
