The Football Association of Ireland has today played down a report in a national newspaper that claims the Republic of Ireland will play their home games in the upcoming World Cup 2006 qualifying campaign at Lansdowne Road.
The FAI said recently that FIFA had informed the association that it would no longer permit the use of temporary seats at the Dublin 4 venue as derogation for such seating had expired, so reducing the capacity for the upcoming campaign to a mere 22,000.
The capacity reduction led to speculation that Brian Kerr's team could play their "home" games against France, Switzerland, Israel, Cyprus and the Faroe Islands in Glasgow, Liverpool or Manchester.
However, a FIFA spokesperson told today's Starnewspaper that the organisation is unlikely to object to the continued use of temporary seating.
The official told the newspaper that FIFA would be happy to continue the existing seating arrangement if "safety authorities in Dublin are satisfied that the seats at Lansdowne Road are within permitted construction standards".
But Fran Rooney, FAI chief executive, said this morning that the position of FIFA regarding the use of Lansdowne Road for competitive fixtures was unchanged. "I have spoken again this morning to FIFA and the position remains unchanged", he said.
"The derogation allowing us to use temporary seating for competitive matches has expired and the message from FIFA this morning was clear - without a firm plan in place for a new stadium, there will be no further derogation."
The Republic of Ireland are now faced with playing their home games in Britain unless either the Government gives a firm commitment on its position for a new or refurbished stadium or Croke Park becomes available.