 Howard Wells is calling for a decision on the stadium issue |
The Irish FA's chief executive Howard Wells has said he did not favour the Maze over any alternative location for a multi-sports stadium. Wells said the IFA supported the idea of a new national stadium wherever it was built but added that a decision was needed soon.
"The IFA has never said it does not favour a Belfast option," said Wells.
"But if the Government is not going to build a stadium they need to say so. Doing nothing is not an option."
Plans have been drawn up for a 35,000-seater ground at the Maze, near Lisburn, which would attract major fixtures in football, rugby and Gaelic games.
But there is significant support for siting the new venue in Belfast.
 | We need to have a clear plan of where the new stadium is going to be |
Sports Minister Edwin Poots has indicated that a final decision would be taken in the autumn.
IFA boss Wells has made it clear that football grounds in Northern Ireland had been left behind in upgrading facilities and that sizeable investment was required.
He confirmed the association had looked into playing some friendly games outside Northern Ireland if the capacity of Windspr Park had to be reduced.
"At the moment I think we are charging top dollar for tickets for international footbal," he said.
"There is a suggestion that the application of new health and safety legislations may mean that the capacity may have to be reduced.
"I have spoken with Fifa and Uefa and they are sympathetic if there is a problem with a particular facility.
"The problem is we do not have another facility in Northern Ireland which comes remotely close to accommodating those problems.
"I hope we are going to end up with a commitment to put short-term money into Windsor Park to keep it up to a good standard and that we have a clear plan of where the new stadium is going to be."
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