Euro 2028 and grassroots investment need not be conflicting, says Kenny

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has lent cautious support to the FAI co-hosting Euro 2028, along with the English, Welsh, Scottish FAs and the Irish Football Association.

The irony has not been lost on anyone that hosting the tournament would force the FAI and the Irish Government to spend a significant amount on improving GAA headquarters for the sake of Dublin city showcasing a few weeks of international soccer before the tournament concludes at Wembley Stadium.

Uefa are not expecting any rival bids, as Russia are suspended and Turkey withdrew from the running, but the need to upgrade Croke Park and potentially the Aviva Stadium, so Dublin can hold one third of the matches, has raised concerns about the lack of investment in chronically underdeveloped League of Ireland stadiums.

The poor state of infrastructure all across Irish football has long been an eye sore, with Kenny supporting the recent stance taken by Damien Duff, after the Shelbourne FC manager described facilities as "horrific" in comparison to the GAA.

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“It is positive to have the European Championships in Ireland,” said Kenny. “That is a good news story. I am sure the Irish supporters will look forward to having a lot of games in this country. But it is quite a distance away.”

On the scepticism surrounding the bid, in the context that facilities at several leading clubs are in tatters, Kenny responded: “That is a point of view which I respect but I don’t necessarily think they are conflicting.

“The football infrastructure in this country is nowhere near wherever that needs to be and it needs serious Government investment and I think the Taoiseach [Micheál Martin] has acknowledged that. He said publicly that he wants to invest in academies in Ireland.

"I know there are programmes for clubs to try to improve the infrastructure because we are way behind the rest of Europe in terms of stadium facilities. Way behind in this country. We know that, but I don't see that as conflicting with hosting Euro '28. I don't see that.

“Ultimately, Euro ’28 is a money generator for the economy, right? I don’t know what is involved in the finance. I have no idea how much it is costing, so I am not qualified to speak on the exact figures involved.

“Personally, I don’t see it as a negative. I think it is good that people want to see a major tournament and be a part of big events like that. Ireland wants to be part of that as well, and ideally we want to be there when it comes around.”

Financial mismanagement

However, there remains legitimate concerns around funding the Euros at the potential cost of not improving archaic conditions at the grassroots of Irish football, especially after two decades of financial mismanagement at the FAI under John Delaney that left the governing body with debts of €62.4 million.

"I am not sure where the money comes from, whether it is FAI coffers or whether it comes from various Government departments," said Kenny ahead of Saturday's friendly against Belgium.

“Essentially, Euro ’28 will be in Dublin at the Aviva or Croke Park – unfortunately, there is nowhere else in Ireland – but I don’t necessarily see it as conflicting. It is a positive to have it.

“I am not a spokesman for this. I have not considered it at length. If you are asking my opinion I don’t see it as a conflict. Big events like the Euros would be special for the country.

“How we divide the finance, I have not got the specifics on that. I think the upgrading of infrastructure is a different argument.”

Kenny conceded it was a “valid point” to state that Croke Park, which is fully owned by the GAA, will need to be modernised in order to bring a major soccer tournament to Ireland.

“Do I want all resources to be focused on that, and away from all the other aspects in Ireland? No, I don’t. Of course not. That’s not the question. Can they co-exist? Can we continue to grow football at all levels of the country and the league and still have Euro ’28 as a separate entity and something to look forward to in many years time? Possibly.”