Irish FA insists it’s not hiding from fan fury over Casement Park
There has been dismay among Northern Ireland fans over the plan to host Euro 2028 games at Casement Park
Work is scheduled to commence on the redevelopment of Casement Park in time for the Euro 2028 Finals
An impression of how west Belfast stadium Casement Park will look upon the completion of its redevelopment
The Irish FA has denied it is running scared of fans’ protests about controversial Casement Park by playing international men’s friendly games away from Belfast in 2024.
Windsor Park chiefs have angered a section of Northern Ireland fans by agreeing to use the proposed 34,000 redeveloped GAA stadium in west Belfast to host games at Euro 2028 as part of the UK and Ireland package.
Protests and anti-Casement banners were displayed at Northern Ireland home games during the previous 12 months – much to the embarrassment of Irish FA bosses, who are concerned about the negative impact it will have with UEFA, organisers of Euro 2028.
Now, as the row over funding Casement intensifies, Michael O’Neill’s men could possibly go 10 months without an international match in Belfast.
The Irish FA has organised two away friendlies in March against Romania and Scotland respectively, while in June, it is understood Northern Ireland will travel to Spain for a pre-Euro 2024 clash. A fourth away game could also take place.
Northern Ireland’s next scheduled match at Windsor Park is September 5 against Luxembourg in the Nations League – 10 months after their previous match in Belfast against Denmark.
Sunday Life Sport sources insist Casement protests are the reason for the away friendlies.
However, the Irish FA has dismissed that notion.
“There is no concern about protests,” said an IFA spokesperson.
“Fans, and indeed anyone else, have a
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