By Peter Hall
MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) – The not yet built Everton Stadium has been included on the shortlist for UK and Ireland’s bid to host the 2028 European Championship, the countries’ Football Associations said on Wednesday.
Wembley Stadium, which hosted last year’s Euro 2020 final, is one of three London stadia included along West Ham United’s London Stadium and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the 14-strong list to be whittled down to 10 by next April.
Stadiums across all four nations of the United Kingdom and two in Ireland are on the list, with Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium and Manchester United’s Old Trafford included.
Anfield, home of Liverpool, misses out, with the proposed Everton Stadium, which will replace Everton’s current home Goodison Park, the stadium from the city of Liverpool preferred.
“Working with UEFA, our plan is to host a tournament that will be a catalyst for transformational grassroots football development – with a promise to share legacy initiatives with European National Associations to accelerate growth across the continent,” the joint association statement read.
“The UK and Ireland’s track record of hosting successful major sporting events over many decades means we have the expertise and experience to take this world-class tournament to new heights.”
The Euro 2020 final at Wembley on July 11, in which Italy beat England after a penalty shootout, was marred by clashes between supporters and officials in and around the stadium, with ticketless fans breaching security cordons.
Full list:
St James’ Park
Stadium of Light
Etihad Stadium
Old Trafford
Everton Stadium
Villa Park
London Stadium
Wembley Stadium
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Aviva Stadium (Dublin)
Croke Park (Dublin)
Windsor Park (Belfast)
Hampden Park (Glasgow)
Principality Stadium (Cardiff)
(Reporting by Peter Hall; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
