Northern Ireland currently unable to back Euro 2028 bid, says minister

Northern Ireland cannot currently support a joint UK and Ireland bid to host the 2028 European Championships, a Stormont minister has said.

DUP Economy Minister Gordon Lyons said the lack of a properly functioning powersharing Executive and agreed budget means the region cannot provide the “in principle” support to the bid that has been offered by England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.

Mr Lyons’s own party collapsed the Executive last month by withdrawing First Minister Paul Givan from the administration in protest against the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The move automatically removed Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill from her post as deputy First Minister.

Other ministers remain in position in shadow format ahead of May’s Assembly election but the wider Executive cannot meet or take significant decisions that cut across the responsibility of multiple departments, such as agreeing a new three-year budget.

There remains significant uncertainty whether a new Executive will be formed on the other side of the election.

In a letter to remaining Executive ministers, seen by the PA news agency, Mr Lyons acknowledges the political situation in Northern Ireland means support cannot be offered to the tournament bid.

Northern Ireland could potentially host seven matches if it was involved in a successful bid for the Euros.

“The cross-cutting nature of Northern Ireland participation in the Euros and the lack of both a decision-making mechanism and agreed budget means NI cannot provide ‘in principle support’ for the bid at this stage,” Mr Lyons wrote.

The minister said his officials will continue to observe work on the bid, with the potential of a future Executive agreeing to formally support the endeavour at a later stage.