YOU AV NO CHANCE IRFU rules out buying FAI’S stadium share

THE IRFU has no intention of easing the FAI’S financial headache by purchasing its stake in the Aviva Stadium.

Rugby chief Philip Browne (above) met with officials from the Irish Department of Sport yesterday on the IRFU’S request.

But in a statement, the IRFU said: “To address recent speculation, the IRFU confirms that it does not have an interest in acquiring the FAI’S share in the Aviva Stadium.

“The IRFU’S investment program is centered firmly on the development of rugby at all levels and all available funds are fully committed to that program.”

The IRFU statement added that it would “continue to liaise with the Department in relation to the ongoing operations of the stadium company”.

The FAI is facing financial meltdown as it is more than £53million in the red and £25million of that is stadium debt in their joint venture with the

IRFU. This week, the football body was shot down by the Irish Government when it requested an £15million bailout.

Selling off its share in the Aviva Stadium is seen as one way of relieving their cash crisis.

As Mirror Sport reported earlier this month, the idea was floated by UEFA money men who have been working with the

FAI to keep it afloat.

Aviva Stadium cost

£393million to build and the Irish Government contributed £163 million.

Government taking over the FAI’S stake in the stadium cannot be ruled out as another way of easing the association’s financial nightmare.

Meanwhile, Bratislava has been confirmed as the venue for the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2020 semi-final play-off against Slovakia on March 26.

Slovakia had been playing their games in Trnava while the

Tehelne pole stadium in Bratislava underwent a facelift.

But the capital city venue has been open for business since the summer, although Slovakia have only played there once – a friendly against Paraguay in October. At the Euro 2020 draw in Bucharest this month, president Donal Conway said the FAI was in talks with their Slovakian counterparts over securing extra tickets.

“That has to be negotiated,” said Conway (inset) at the time. “They’re obliged to provide us with 5% of the tickets (1,125) but conversations are going on about accessing further tickets. They’re not obliged to give us any more so it would be something we have to negotiate.

‘It’s a new stadium and a new pitch and it’s my understanding that there had been some teething difficulties.”