NI Squad Will Suffer From Stadium Indecision, Says Stormont Paper

The Stormont Government's indecisiveness over the location for a national stadium for Northern Ireland could force the NI soccer side to play matches outside the Province.

According to documents - obtained from the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister - the Celtic Cup could be jeopardised as a result of the devolved Executive's hesitancy to make a firm decision on the way forward.

The official papers have suggested that the Northern Ireland squad may have to play home games outside of the Province during the 2011 tournament, which also includes teams from Wales and Scotland.

The national stadium debate has hampered the tournament so much that the normal rotation of host nations has been thrown into question, as currently Northern Ireland could not stage such an event without a suitable venue.

Failing an adequate stadium being in place for the games, Northern Ireland fans could be travelling to Cardiff or Glasgow to see their team play a home game.

The leaked document has also revealed that plans to separate the proposed multi-purpose element of a stadium could mean the GAA would receive another funding arrangement, to construct an additional site.

This could result in two competing stadiums in the Province, vying for spectators.

Yesterday, Stormont Ministers were warned up to 10,000 jobs could be axed if plans for a Maze site are rejected.

All three sports' representative bodies have now backed plans for a Lisburn-based stadium.

However, the Maze stadium proposal has faced strong objection from Unionists, partly because some fear a national landmark on the site would become a "shrine" for fallen republicans, but officially because of very high projected costs.

See: Poots Backs Maze - And Rubbish Civil Servant's Input To Plan

(PR/JM)(BMcC)