Post by Sooz on Jan 30, 2007 15:44:23 GMT -1
WALES' friendly in Northern Ireland next Tuesday is under threat after a report described Belfast's Windsor Park as a "fire risk".
An independent report studying Windsor Park's suitability for staging international football has produced damning findings.
A large section of the stadium's South Stand is a wooden structure and the report warns of the dangers of a serious fire breaking out.
"The report was commissioned in the knowledge that we must do something about Windsor Park over the next few years," Irish Football Association chief executive Howard Wells told the Western Mail last night.
"It has flagged up a number of issues that need looking at, but nothing out of the ordinary with a 100-year-old stadium.
As far as I'm concerned the (Wales) match will go ahead, but the relevant parties are sitting around the table this week and we are working to tight deadlines."
The report, commissioned by ground owners Linfield FC and funded by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland, has recommended an immediate injection of at least £2m to allow Windsor Park to meet Uefa and Fifa crowd comfort and safety criteria.
Though the long-term home of Northern Ireland football, the stadium boasts a modest capacity of 14,000 and is in need of urgent renovation.
"You wouldn't need to be a rocket scientist to know that you've got a problem (with the South Stand)," said Wells.
"I've always been staggered that smoking has been allowed there but that has been a problem with legislation in Northern Ireland which has been beyond our control."
The report could also have implications for Linfield's latest Uefa licence application, which is scheduled to be determined this week.
But of greater concern to Wales boss John Toshack would be the loss of a friendly fixture seen as crucial preparation to the Dragons' European Championship campaign.
Toshack was keen on returning to Belfast - Wales won a World Cup qualifier there in October 2005 - ahead of the Euro qualifier with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin in March.
An FAW spokesman said last night, "We know the ground was damaged by storms recently but we have been assured the game will go ahead.
"As far as we are concerned the game is not in any danger."
However, travelling Welsh fans - who will occupy some sections of the South Stand next week - will be alarmed by the report into the state of Windsor Park.
A source told the Belfast-based Sunday Life newspaper, "Basically the report is condemning Windsor as not fit for purpose as an international stadium.
"It will be at least four to six years before any new stadium can be ready and Northern Ireland need a home until then.
"Government seem to recognise that and are ready to step in and patch up Windsor until they can decide where they are going with the Maze (project)."
Two Linfield home games were postponed after new year storms damaged the North Stand roof.
That roof has since been repaired, but Irish sports-lovers fear Northern Ireland's home games will be taken out of the country unless Windsor Park is modernised quickly.
An independent report studying Windsor Park's suitability for staging international football has produced damning findings.
A large section of the stadium's South Stand is a wooden structure and the report warns of the dangers of a serious fire breaking out.
"The report was commissioned in the knowledge that we must do something about Windsor Park over the next few years," Irish Football Association chief executive Howard Wells told the Western Mail last night.
"It has flagged up a number of issues that need looking at, but nothing out of the ordinary with a 100-year-old stadium.
As far as I'm concerned the (Wales) match will go ahead, but the relevant parties are sitting around the table this week and we are working to tight deadlines."
The report, commissioned by ground owners Linfield FC and funded by the Sports Council for Northern Ireland, has recommended an immediate injection of at least £2m to allow Windsor Park to meet Uefa and Fifa crowd comfort and safety criteria.
Though the long-term home of Northern Ireland football, the stadium boasts a modest capacity of 14,000 and is in need of urgent renovation.
"You wouldn't need to be a rocket scientist to know that you've got a problem (with the South Stand)," said Wells.
"I've always been staggered that smoking has been allowed there but that has been a problem with legislation in Northern Ireland which has been beyond our control."
The report could also have implications for Linfield's latest Uefa licence application, which is scheduled to be determined this week.
But of greater concern to Wales boss John Toshack would be the loss of a friendly fixture seen as crucial preparation to the Dragons' European Championship campaign.
Toshack was keen on returning to Belfast - Wales won a World Cup qualifier there in October 2005 - ahead of the Euro qualifier with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin in March.
An FAW spokesman said last night, "We know the ground was damaged by storms recently but we have been assured the game will go ahead.
"As far as we are concerned the game is not in any danger."
However, travelling Welsh fans - who will occupy some sections of the South Stand next week - will be alarmed by the report into the state of Windsor Park.
A source told the Belfast-based Sunday Life newspaper, "Basically the report is condemning Windsor as not fit for purpose as an international stadium.
"It will be at least four to six years before any new stadium can be ready and Northern Ireland need a home until then.
"Government seem to recognise that and are ready to step in and patch up Windsor until they can decide where they are going with the Maze (project)."
Two Linfield home games were postponed after new year storms damaged the North Stand roof.
That roof has since been repaired, but Irish sports-lovers fear Northern Ireland's home games will be taken out of the country unless Windsor Park is modernised quickly.
