Mar 30 - GSD Says Government Will Press Ahead With Europa Point Stadium
The GSD says it welcomes the GFA’s confirmation that in 2012 it received a report from UEFA stating that a 5,000-seater stadium would be eligible for Category 4 Status. The party also welcomes the further confirmation that UEFA are still to issue their report on the size and capacity of the stadium. This basic fact means, according to the GSD, that the possibility of proceeding with the Victoria Stadium as a smaller capacity category 4 stadium remains open. The GSD’s contention has and continues to be that a smaller capacity stadium would be sufficient to meet UEFA requirements, as is the case in San Marino, Andorra, Lithuania and the Faroe Islands.
The GSD Opposition says it is therefore at a loss to understand how the Chief Minister can continue to obstinately insist, as in a recent GBC interview, that Europa Point is the only viable location for the building of the GFA Stadium. The GSD says that the fact that the strength of feeling among a significant proportion of the community is against what the Opposition calls this “intrusive erection” of a building on the Europa Point flats will not sway him. “That arrogance will be his downfall” says the party.
A statement continued: “The GSD is also astounded at the Chief Minister’s denial that the Government knew, since the beginning of this year that Gibraltar might be able to have a 5,000-seater stadium and still host UEFA international matches. This denial is not true. In any event, no reasonable observer will believe for one moment that the Chief Minister was unaware of communications between the GFA and UEFA on issues of such public importance.
“The GSD Opposition is discharging its responsibilities to this community strongly but responsibly. We did it when we exposed the existence of Europa Stadium Limited and we have done so again by exposing the existence of the 2012 report.”
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