FAI chiefs are refusing to say how much of the association’s money will be spent on the controversial Euro 2028 bid.
And it has emerged that Croke Park may not be needed if UEFA decide not to expand the tournament to 32 teams from 24.
But a push will be made to host a quarter-final in Dublin after the city had to relinquish its Euro 2020 group games and Last 16 encounter last summer.
Ireland have joined forces with England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to stage 2028 after shelving World Cup 2030 plans.
And there is already growing confidence in all five national associations of a successful bid.
But the FAI is facing charges of pursuing a vanity project when money could be better spent in other areas of Irish football.
And the shutters went up in Abbotstown yesterday when chairman Roy Barrett and CEO Jonathan Hill were asked about the FAI’s spend on the project.
Considering the FAI’s financial woes and the fact it needed a Government bailout to stay afloat after the John Delaney era, it’s hardly an unreasonable question to ask.
But Barrett said: “I’m not sure we will be telling the public every item or expenditure within the organisation.
“All I can give you is assurances from the board that we have looked at this as an opportunity. We’ve made a decision unanimously that it makes sense.
“It won’t move the dial one way or another in terms of cost. It won’t have any bearing on our ability to implement any aspect of our strategic plan.”
It was then put to Barrett and Hill that refusing to reveal the figures would only breathe suspicion, akin to the ‘old FAI’ days.
But Barrett said: “We’re not lacking transparency - we have a very transparent operation around the board.
“I’m entirely satisfied that the amount we’re putting into the Euro 2020 bid is not meaningful in the overall scheme of things. It has substantial potential benefits.”
CEO Hill said he understands why some Irish football fans are critical of the Euro 2028 project.
“I absolutely understand that fans of the League of Ireland are frustrated by years of under investment into facilities for example,” he said.
“They want to ensure that we are committed to finding solutions to this. and we are. But the two are not mutually exclusive.”
Meanwhile, Croke Park may not be needed as part of the formal bid if UEFA keeps Euro 2028 as a 24-team tournament.
There was speculation before Christmas that it would be increased to 32-teams, but that has cooled somewhat.
Hill said: “It will be UEFA who have the final decision in relation to the allocation of games but there will be a spread of games across the five nations.
“If it's 32 teams then we may need to look at the potential of using a second venue here in Ireland. If it's 24 we may not have to.”
And the FAI is determined to see Dublin host at least a quarter-final at Euro 2028, having had to hand over its Euro 2020 group and Last 16 games last summer.
Hill said: “UEFA would probably look at Wembley - 90,000 capacity, 17,000 for hospitality - for semi-finals and finals as that generates the most money for them.
“But we will be bullish in relation to (hosting matches) beyond the Last 16, absolutely. I genuinely believe that the bid is a winnable one.”
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