November 2 – The Irish FA and Football Association of Ireland have launched a ground-breaking joint bid to host the 2023 European Under-21 Championship finals.
Irish FA chief executive Patrick Nelson and his FAI counterpart John Delaney announced details of the bid in Belfast on Thursday. A decision on the competition hosts is expected in early 2020.
Under the bid the National Stadium at Windsor Park in Belfast would stage the final in what is the first time ever both associations have worked together on a joint tournament bid. Neither has ever qualified for the finals of the competition.
Nelson said hosting the 2023 tournament would “help grow the game at all levels”.
“We could not host a tournament of this scale on our own, therefore I am pleased that both associations are working in partnership on this bid,” he said.
Delaney described the move as “historic” and dismissed fears that Brexit might scupper the bid. “It won’t have any impact in UEFA’s eyes. They will make a judgement on the best bid in terms of infrastructure. The bid will stand on its own two feet.”
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