Reports of a row between the FAI and the IRFU over the potential redevelopment of Lansdowne Road have been dismissed by the soccer body's chief executive, Fran Rooney.
A delegation from both governing bodies met with the Minister for Sport, John O'Donoghue, yesterday to discuss the building of a brand new stadium at the Dublin 4 site, with both associations prepared to donate one third of the total cost of the estimated €250 million project.
But reports today suggested that there was a difference of opinion between the two over the exact details of the ownership of any new stadium that might be built, with question marks arising over the FAI's future rent contributions under the new proposals.
However, speaking on RTÉ Radio One's Pat Kenny Show today, Rooney sought to dispel any notion that the associations were at odds over any issue, let alone his association's tenancy:
"There's no issue here at all," Rooney said. "The most important thing to remember here is that the FAI and the IRFU have a great relationship – it's going back almost thirty years now. The only issue we ever have is dealing with fixture clashes and again we resolve those professionally," he added.
Rooney continued: "What we have here now is we're going to build a new stadium. Obviously the IRFU are providing the ground, but the plan is very clear that we will both pay rent, both the IRFU and the FAI, into a management company. The management company will then operate the grounds and make it available to both associations or anybody else who wants to use it.
"It'll (the stadium) be owned by the consortium, which will include the IRFU, the FAI and the Government, all of whom are putting up money for this. The land will obviously continued to be owned by the IRFU and will be in the future if the stadium is knocked down in 50 years' time. But in terms of the stadium and the management of the stadium it'll be a consortium."
Meanwhile, Rooney today said that the use of Croke Park is not a long term solution for the hosting of football or rugby internationals. He said he was extremely disappointed with the Government that a decision on building a new national stadium had yet to be made and he called on the Taoiseach to use his power and authority within cabinet to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
Filed by James Boylan
