Euro 2028: Tournament confirmation a 'catalyst' for domestic funding - IFA chief
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Euro 2028: Irish FA chief executive Patrick Nelson reacts to announcement
Irish FA chief executive Patrick Nelson hopes that the announcement of the UK and Ireland hosting Euro 2028 will also bring investment to the local game.
Nelson has been frustrated by a 12-year wait in implementing the sub-regional funding programme for domestic football by the NI government.
"Let's hope that this announcement is a fabulous catalyst to make sure the sub-regional money is unlocked," he said.
"That programme still needs to be brought to fruition."
Nelson was speaking in Nyon on Tuesday as Uefa confirmed that the UK and Ireland will host Euro 2028.
Casement Park in Belfast is set to host games and government funding has been promised to ensure it is redeveloped in time to stage tournament fixtures.
However, both the Casement Park project and sub-regional funding programme face uncertainty with the NI government currently not in operation.
Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill says hosting Euro 2028 will be 'something special'
Nelson believes the original funding package of £36m for the programme in 2011 falls well short of what is now required, with stadia upgrades among the areas targeted for improvement.
"What we shouldn't forget in Northern Ireland is that domestic football also needs investment," added Nelson.
"We've been working with the government on this for many, many years. We will still be holding politicians to account to make sure that domestic football in Northern Ireland is not left behind.
"We've been talking about sub-regional funding since 2011 - we've had 12 years of nothing happening on this. The original sum may have been a good starter in 2011 but we need much more for domestic football in Northern Ireland.
"I think we need £100m and probably more than that. There is a huge amount of work to be done on our grounds in Northern Ireland. NIFL [NI Football League] is in a fantastic place at the minute - it's a really competitive league.
"It's growing all the time. Our fans deserve facilities, our players deserve facilities. We're looking forward to working with NIFL, the government and other partners to make sure that happens."