UEFA’s Executive Committee will meet in a virtual session today and high on the agenda will be a final decision on whether Dublin, Munich and Bilbao will still be able to host matches in this summer’s European Championship Finals.
The final deadline was extended early this month and there may still be a glimmer of hope after today but the likelihood is that there will be recognition of the fact that the Local Organising Committee here, led by the FAI and including Dublin City Council, the Government and other stakeholders cannot commit to the required hosting of 25 per cent capacity on the Aviva Stadium for the group games through June.
With falling infection numbers putting us in a better place than many in Europe, and a vaccination programme that will have us in a better place again come the summer, it may seem close but the return of fans in sufficient numbers is further down the line and it is a stretch to think that such a high profile exception would be considered.
It is only a few short years ago that we were sitting proud with the Euro’s secured and a potential rugby World Cup hosting in 2023 looking like a real possibility.
The politics of the bidding process cost us that and now the global pandemic looks set to rob us of the other.
It should not deter us though from continuing to play at this top league of potential host countries.
We have a strong stadium infrastructure now, after years of strong Government investment and assistance, with the Aviva Stadium and Croke Park capable of playing a part in any of the biggest international tournaments.
It remains a strong possibility that we will enter into a joint bid with England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to host the FIFA World Cup in 2030.
Until the light is formally switched off on our Euro hosting we will still maintain the structures and the relationships that are required to make it a success but it seems now as if we are entering the end game.
Sport for Business Partners
