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Dublin's Aviva Stadium could host four European Championship games. Donall Farmer/INPHO

Government gives thumbs up to FAI bid for Euro 2020 games

FAI’s final bid must be submitted to UEFA this month.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS backed the FAI’s bid to host part of the 2020 European Championships .

Ireland is one of 32 possible hosts for the 60th anniversary tournament, which will be played across several continental cities rather than in one or two countries for the first time.

The final bid documents must be submitted to UEFA by 25 April and although the FAI did not need formal political approval before proceeding, today’s green light from the cabinet will boost their chances.

If successful, Dublin’s Aviva Stadium is set to host four fixtures — three group games and one knockout round match.

A final decision on the 13 host cities will be made in September.

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    Mute Honest Tom
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    Apr 8th 2014, 7:13 PM

    I was never convinced this multi country host format would be a good thing. However I think this news has brought home the positives of it for me. I guess it gives smaller countries who would perhaps otherwise never host a major tournament an opportunity to do so. So I guess that can only be a good thing. Hopefully the bid is successful.

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    Mute Banking Bad
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    Apr 8th 2014, 7:28 PM

    You won’t be saying that Tom when the FAI cocks this one up!

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    Mute Honest Tom
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    Apr 8th 2014, 7:31 PM

    No, probably not. Ah I guess they’re not all bad in there, if they are capable of successfully biding for the Europa League final in 2011 I imagine they are capable of putting together a successful bid for this. Although I doubt there was as much competition for that Europa League Final, and if anyone is capable of messing a bid up it is the FAI and Mr. Delaney.

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    Mute Banking Bad
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    Apr 8th 2014, 7:36 PM

    We must give the FAI credit where credit is due in fairness.

    I think we will. It’s a great stadium and surely it can’t be dissimilar to bidding for the Europa League final.

    With the extended competition format you would hope we’d get a couple of the games!

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    Mute Joe Mahon
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    Apr 9th 2014, 7:24 AM

    Not sure how UEFA will approach this selection, but you’d imagine competition will be tough. Wembley, Paris, Rome, Berlin, Barcelona/Madrid Lisbon, probably all certainties. Leaves 7 cities to be selected. Will be 1 Scandinavian city, 1 from Belgium/Netherlands, 1 from Austria/Switzerland , a Greek city, a Balkan city, and competition from likes of Romania/turkey/ Bulgaria/Hungary etc. add Scotland and Wales to the mix, I feel it will be a tough ask for the FAI to get a host city. I hope they do it would be great.

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    Mute frankie burke
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    Apr 8th 2014, 7:02 PM

    Great news!! Now all we need is for them to finish the embarrassing Havelock Square end of the stadium!!!

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    Mute Banking Bad
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    Apr 8th 2014, 7:04 PM

    That’s a bigger can of worms than the Garth Brook gigs at Croke Park!

    Imagine the uproar if they finished that end!

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    Mute Pat Mustard
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    Apr 8th 2014, 7:05 PM

    I was just about to say, it looks pathetic in that photo!

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    Mute damian
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    Apr 8th 2014, 7:59 PM

    It will never be “finished”. Planning permission was only granted if they did it that way due to blocking of light to houses in Havelock Square.

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    Mute Figo murphy
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    Apr 8th 2014, 11:43 PM

    Your talking tripe Damien. The IRFU own all the houses on that side of Havelock Square. That is how the stadium was designed. It’s big enough, and looks fantastico!

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    Mute damian
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    Apr 9th 2014, 1:42 PM

    First point -> *you’re
    Second point -> Damian
    Third point -> The IRFU do not own all the houses there
    Fourth point -> The build was a joint venture between IRFU and FAI, so why would the IRFU be left to buy the houses there that you are talking about?

    Most importantly… you really don’t know what you’re talking about: http://www.pleanala.ie/casenum/218917.htm (read the first PDF on that page http://www.pleanala.ie/documents/reports/218/R218917.pdf)

    “The design of the proposed Stadium at the northern end has been influenced
    greatly by the desire not to cast shadows to the houses in O’Connell Gardens
    and Havelock Square. The analysis for the entire Stadium shows that, as
    expected, only houses to the North of the Stadium are in any way materially
    affected. The other sides are unaffected. Generally during the Spring,
    Summer and Autumn, the Stadium will result in a slight increase in the
    number of properties in shadow in the morning and at lunchtime, but either no
    change or a decrease in the number of properties in shadow in the afternoon
    and evening.”

    Good day to you sir….

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    Mute Stephen Browner
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    Apr 8th 2014, 7:11 PM

    Well we’re certainly corrupt enough to host a major football tournament

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    Mute Donal O'Brien
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    Apr 8th 2014, 8:35 PM

    We have never gotten out of our group at the corruption World Cup

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    Mute Paul Friday Shannon
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    Apr 8th 2014, 8:10 PM

    Croke park for the 2020 final screw the English and wembley

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    Mute Banking Bad
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    Apr 8th 2014, 10:12 PM

    The Residents association would never wear it!

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    Mute Twenty
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    Apr 8th 2014, 7:01 PM

    Of course they do , Kenny and Co will pin their flag to any cause at this stage and then claim down the road that it was all their doing .

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    Mute Banking Bad
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    Apr 8th 2014, 7:03 PM

    http://www.thejournal.ie

    Your anti Government nonsense isn’t welcome here. Lets talk about football!

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    Mute sean o hannrachain
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    Apr 8th 2014, 11:01 PM

    I’d hope the FAI would get their own house in order before applying for European Championship games. They do a dire job of organising the national league so they shouldn’t get a chance to do this

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    Mute Gerry Ryan deG
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    Apr 9th 2014, 12:15 AM

    They might have checked with the taxpayer who’ll foot the bill.
    But we’re going back to the Klondike days.

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    Mute Stephen Kelly
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    Apr 9th 2014, 10:30 AM

    What Bill? The Stadium is already built….. soooo many benefits to the local economy for this makes it a no brainer. We would be guaranteed at least one Big nation as seeds in the group and the one knockout game, the majority of which would bring sizable crowds, either from their own countries or from local Irish fans.

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    Mute Cian O Donoghue
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    Apr 8th 2014, 10:25 PM

    Do we have enough Gardai to cover this??

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    Mute Twenty
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    Apr 9th 2014, 12:51 AM

    I only speak the truth ya muppet ! 6hrs later and we’re still waiting

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