UEFA Euro 2028

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Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

What about any potential new stadium in Liverpool? You'd assume if that does go ahead, it'll be with hosting games in the tournament in mind

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The new Everton stadium seems to be in, subject to it getting funded and built.

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Originally Posted by Eirambler

Interestingly Anfield cannot be part of the tournament as the pitch is too small to meet UEFA requirements, I think most people would have thought that was a certainty to be used.

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In general, pitches can be any dimension you like, so loog as they are between 100 and 130 yards long and between 50 and 100 yards wide (and aren't square).

FIFA requires that intenrational pitches must be between 100 and 120 yards long, and 70 to 80 yards wide.

Meanwhile, an ideal pitch dimension of 115 yards by 75 yardfs is now the "gold standard" and virtually all new stadia at professional level conform to that exact size. (I'm not sure exactly who has determined this, FIFA, UEFA or the various professional leagues btw).

However, a derogation is permitted for older grounds where such a dimension cannot be achieved without moving grandstands etc, Anfield being an example of this.

And those ideal dimensions are by now pretty much compulsory for major UEFA and FIFA tournaments like EURO2028.

Most PL pitches are now standardised, but back in the day I believe that Arsene Wenger had a couple of pitches at Arsenal's training ground which could be adjusted depending on the size of the pitch they were due to play on for away games - I daresay all clubs have something like this now.

While at Spurs, the old WHL pitch was smaller than usual at 110 yards by 73 yards. Pochettino's tight pressing game was ideally suited to a smaller pitch, such that in their last season there, Spurs won 17 and drew the other two of their 19 PL games = 53 points.

But playing at Wembley the following season while the new stadium was built, their home record was W13, D4 L2 = 43 points. Yet their away record marginally improved, from 33 points to 34.

Anyhow, getting back to Euro2028, you can be sure that Everton's new stadium will fit the bill, meaning that it will almost certainly be a host stadium. Which will be nice for the EFL... :cool:

given that everton have lost £372m across three seasons, £121m last season being the most recent figure, lost their most significant benefactor in Usmanov due to the invasion of ukraine, and are bookies favourites to go down, you'd have to imagine a stadium is pretty unlikely.

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Originally Posted by elatedscum

given that everton have lost £372m across three seasons, £121m last season being the most recent figure, lost their most significant benefactor in Usmanov due to the invasion of ukraine, and are bookies favourites to go down, you'd have to imagine a stadium is pretty unlikely.

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You may be right, but if I had to guess, I'd say it will still go ahead, as follows.

While Usmanov, said to be worth nearly $20 bn., is doubtless the key figure behind Everton, he is channeling his football business through his long time business partner Farhad Moshiri, who recently upped his stake in the club to 94%.

Moshiri, who is said to worth a "mere" £2 bn., has not been sanctioned and unless something unknown turns up, it may be that the UK government will be reluctant to do so until the stadium is completed. (It's a big deal for the whole city, not just EFC and Euro2028).

And tbf, they've already made decent progress on the stadium:

https://i2-prod.liverpoolecho.co.uk/..._BMD120422.jpg

While their CEO has been reassuring the fans recently that everything is still on track:
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/spor...aking-23679739

And even if they got relegated and/or Moshiri had to sell up, I'd guess there'd be no shortage of buyers for a club with EFC's history and potential, for sale at a knock-down price.

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

Most PL pitches are now standardised, but back in the day I believe that Arsene Wenger had a couple of pitches at Arsenal's training ground which could be adjusted depending on the size of the pitch they were due to play on for away games - I daresay all clubs have something like this now.

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Man City's training ground goes further than that, they have pitches for each premier league away ground with the same grass as each pitch, and the same North-South alignment

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Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Man City's training ground goes further than that, they have pitches for each premier league away ground with the same grass as each pitch, and the same North-South alignment

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Do they get in all of their opponents fans as well ? ?

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Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Man City's training ground goes further than that, they have pitches for each premier league away ground with the same grass as each pitch, and the same North-South alignment

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Absolute w@nkers.

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Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Man City's training ground goes further than that, they have pitches for each premier league away ground with the same grass as each pitch, and the same North-South alignment

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Actually now you mention it, I think that might originally have been a Wenger idea too, presumably followed by M.City when they opened their new Academy/Training ground?

Im not sure how they would have accounted for Tommy Docherty, mind, when he managed Chelsea.

His team were due to play Barcelona in a European game at the Bridge, but star striker Peter Osgood was one of a few players who were injured and needed a bit more time to recover.

So he called in the local Fire Brigade and got them to flood the pitch, so that the game would have to be delayed by another day or two.

You can read how that one turned out here:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/p...nt-k8l23225n8c

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

Actually now you mention it, I think that might originally have been a Wenger idea too, presumably followed by M.City when they opened their new Academy/Training ground?

Im not sure how they would have accounted for Tommy Docherty, mind, when he managed Chelsea.

His team were due to play Barcelona in a European game at the Bridge, but star striker Peter Osgood was one of a few players who were injured and needed a bit more time to recover.

So he called in the local Fire Brigade and got them to flood the pitch, so that the game would have to be delayed by another day or two.

You can read how that one turned out here:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/p...nt-k8l23225n8c

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Tommy Docherty pulled a few stunts in his time. His Man Utd team in the 70’s was mighty entertaining to watch. Two very good wingers and very attacking football. Great watching for a neutral.

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

I agree entirely. And those objections (wrong place especially) may mean it doesn't get built, or if it ever does, then on a much more modest scale.

But the fact is, there's at least £62m of public momey waiting to be spent by the GAA, who are determined that it's Casement or nothing.

Which it probably is, since it is totally unfeasible for them to bear the added cost of acquiring an alternative site in Belfast, while locating it anywhere else in NI is completely out of the question.

Which is all a bit like the old gag about the tourist to Ireland stopping to ask directions somewhere and being told: "If I were you, I wouldn't start from here".

Unfortunately, we have no other choice but to try to start from here (Casement).

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The good news is that £62m isn't close to being enough cash to build what the GAA want. They need more money and will have to come back to the table.

I honestly think the insistence on building at Casement is being able to call it Casement Park.

If that dept had a unionist minister in 2 weeks time, all it might to take to break the logjam could be something as simple as saying there would be no objection to a stadium on a new site called "New Casement Park" or something like that.

Good sites have come and gone while it has dragged on forever, but Giants Park just off the M2 looks the best available area at the moment.

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Originally Posted by backstothewall

The good news is that £62m isn't close to being enough cash to build what the GAA want. They need more money and will have to come back to the table.

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I was going to post about the flaws in the GAA's "plan" for Casement, but they are so many and various that even a summary would take several pages! Suffice to say, this is a screw-up which will require either that Stormont come up with an unbudgeted £50m (more?) on top of the £62m already allocated, at a time of economic constraints; or, the GAA will have to rein in its plans drastically,
And if the history of this whole, sorry saga is any guide, the former can't, while the latter won't, meaning that it will drag on for another decade (minimum)!

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Originally Posted by backstothewall

I honestly think the insistence on building at Casement is being able to call it Casement Park.

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I don't think the name itself is any barrier, whether in Andytown or elsewhere, they could call the new stadium whatever the hell they like.

No, this is one massive vanity project, conceived as a replacement for a 48k capacity Maze stadium(!), when the GAA was sufficiently flush with funds to add their own £15m to the £62m "free money" from Stormont.

They assumed it would be a shoo-in, completely misjudging the legal, regulatory and community obstacles they would have to overcome - even Antrim GAA is/was unhappy!

Which is bad enough, but considering how much has changed in the decade since, their unwillingness to adjust their plans to something more reasonable (25k capacity?) is actually pretty scandalous (imo).

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Originally Posted by backstothewall

If that dept had a unionist minister in 2 weeks time, all it might to take to break the logjam could be something as simple as saying there would be no objection to a stadium on a new site called "New Casement Park" or something like that.

Good sites have come and gone while it has dragged on forever, but Giants Park just off the M2 looks the best available area at the moment.

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Even if there is an Executive after the election (uncertain) and even if there is a Unionist minister (uncertain) and even if the extra money is available (uncertain), there is NO WAY that the GAA or anyone else will want to waste another decade or more effectively starting all over again on a new site, even if they were gifted one for free.

And as for Giant's Park, if the GAA struggled to overcome local opposition and get PP for a replacement for an already existing stadium in the heart of West Belfast, then they have less than zero chance of building one just over the road from Mount Vernon!

You'd have a better hope of building an Orange Hall in the middle of the Vatican City!

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

I was going to post about the flaws in the GAA's "plan" for Casement, but they are so many and various that even a summary would take several pages! Suffice to say, this is a screw-up which will require either that Stormont come up with an unbudgeted £50m (more?) on top of the £62m already allocated, at a time of economic constraints; or, the GAA will have to rein in its plans drastically,
And if the history of this whole, sorry saga is any guide, the former can't, while the latter won't, meaning that it will drag on for another decade (minimum)!


I don't think the name itself is any barrier, whether in Andytown or elsewhere, they could call the new stadium whatever the hell they like.

No, this is one massive vanity project, conceived as a replacement for a 48k capacity Maze stadium(!), when the GAA was sufficiently flush with funds to add their own £15m to the £62m "free money" from Stormont.

They assumed it would be a shoo-in, completely misjudging the legal, regulatory and community obstacles they would have to overcome - even Antrim GAA is/was unhappy!

Which is bad enough, but considering how much has changed in the decade since, their unwillingness to adjust their plans to something more reasonable (25k capacity?) is actually pretty scandalous (imo).


Even if there is an Executive after the election (uncertain) and even if there is a Unionist minister (uncertain) and even if the extra money is available (uncertain), there is NO WAY that the GAA or anyone else will want to waste another decade or more effectively starting all over again on a new site, even if they were gifted one for free.

And as for Giant's Park, if the GAA struggled to overcome local opposition and get PP for a replacement for an already existing stadium in the heart of West Belfast, then they have less than zero chance of building one just over the road from Mount Vernon!

You'd have a better hope of building an Orange Hall in the middle of the Vatican City!

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No complaint about building from someone who would have to cross a couple of football pitches, a 10 lane motorway and a railway line to get to would ever be taken seriously. Even in this screwed up place.

The agreed initial proposals for the site already include a "leisure and sports innovation hub".

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Originally Posted by backstothewall

No complaint about building from someone who would have to cross a couple of football pitches, a 10 lane motorway and a railway line to get to would ever be taken seriously. Even in this screwed up place.

The agreed initial proposals for the site already include a "leisure and sports innovation hub".

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The GAA doesn't have the money to build what they want, or anything like it.

Nor have they permission to build it, at least yet.

Indeed they haven't even overcome local opposition to their plans, or apathy more widely, even amongst GAA fans.

In fact the only thing they do have after more than a decade of dither and delay is a freehold site - and a site which is their old spiritual home in their spiritual Belfast heartland.

Meaning that in addition to all that, there is no way they will ever splash out to BCC for an expensive lease on a site on the other side of the city.

Which explains why they've never expressed even the slightest interest in Giants Park in all the years since the Council started pitching the site to prospective new tenants.

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

The GAA doesn't have the money to build what they want, or anything like it.

Nor have they permission to build it, at least yet.

Indeed they haven't even overcome local opposition to their plans, or apathy more widely, even amongst GAA fans.

In fact the only thing they do have after more than a decade of dither and delay is a freehold site - and a site which is their old spiritual home in their spiritual Belfast heartland.

Meaning that in addition to all that, there is no way they will ever splash out to BCC for an expensive lease on a site on the other side of the city.

Which explains why they've never expressed even the slightest interest in Giants Park in all the years since the Council started pitching the site to prospective new tenants.

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There is only one spiritual home of Ulster GAA and that's St Tiernach's Park Clones, maybe something to do with the pleasant tranquilising effect of consuming copious pints surrounded by green grassy Drumlins.
Casement Pk project is mainly a GAA mess so far, why are you so worked about it? It has an extremely limited tangential connection to this thread.

They should just call it Sir Roger Park and then everyone would be happy. Sorted!

*mic drop

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Originally Posted by geysir

There is only one spiritual home of Ulster GAA and that's St Tiernach's Park Clones, maybe something to do with the pleasant tranquilising effect of consuming copious pints surrounded by green grassy Drumlins.

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I meant the spiritual home of GAA in Belfast/Antrim - another reason not to decamp to somewhere else in the city.

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Originally Posted by geysir

Casement Pk project is mainly a GAA mess so far, why are you so worked about it? It has an extremely limited tangential connection to this thread.

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On the contrary, if NI is to have any chance of hosting games in 2028, then a rebuilt Casement is the only possibllity (if an increasingly slim one).

Which could impact on ROI in turn, since games in Belfast would reduce the chances of Dublin holding games in Croke as well as the AVIVA.

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

I meant the spiritual home of GAA in Belfast/Antrim - another reason not to decamp to somewhere else in the city.


On the contrary, if NI is to have any chance of hosting games in 2028, then a rebuilt Casement is the only possibllity (if an increasingly slim one).

Which could impact on ROI in turn, since games in Belfast would reduce the chances of Dublin holding games in Croke as well as the AVIVA.

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Will there be a United Ireland after Sinn Féin win the Election this week ? (WINK)

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Originally Posted by EalingGreen

I meant the spiritual home of GAA in Belfast/Antrim - another reason not to decamp to somewhere else in the city.


On the contrary, if NI is to have any chance of hosting games in 2028, then a rebuilt Casement is the only possibllity (if an increasingly slim one).

Which could impact on ROI in turn, since games in Belfast would reduce the chances of Dublin holding games in Croke as well as the AVIVA.

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A contrary position to what I expressed about the Casement pk fiasco would surely have to be more positive than 'increasingly slim'? :)
If the chances of it being built were better than increasingly slim, then perhaps it would have some relevance.

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Originally Posted by geysir

A contrary position to what I expressed about the Casement pk fiasco would surely have to be more positive than 'increasingly slim'? :)

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I was expressing a contrary opinion to your assertion that Casement is "tangential" to this thread. This thread relating to Euro2028 and Casement being a possible venue, supported inter alia by the IFA, means it is entirely relevant.

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Originally Posted by geysir

If the chances of it being built were better than increasingly slim, then perhaps it would have some relevance.

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When you describe Casement as being a "fiasco", which is by no means certain to be built (by 2028, at any rate!), then you'll get no argument from me. But while related, that is a separate point.

I personally think something will be built at Casement - the money is there and has to be spent - while the GAA (and various politicians) have invested too much of their reputation for it not to go ahead

Meaning the real questions are when, and in what form, both of which could well scupper any chance of making 2028 in time.

The appeal against Casement's redevelopment has been rejected: https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/20...eal-dismissed/