Euro 2022 organisers defend choice of Man City Academy as tournament stadium
The Manchester City Academy Stadium has the smallest capacity of the ten confirmed stadiums and will stage three group games
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Euro 2022 organisers have defended their decision to use the Manchester City Academy Stadium as a venue for the summer tournament stating it will generate “a great atmosphere worthy of a Women’s European Championships.”
The statement comes in response to comments made by Iceland’s Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir criticising the use of Man City’s Academy ground.
The Lyon star called the inclusion of such a small venue as “disrespectful” towards the women’s game.
“Manchester City Academy is not a training ground,” a Euro 2022 spokesperson said. “It is the official home stadium of Manchester City Women’s Football Club.
“It has been used previously for Uefa Women’s Champions League fixtures and will generate a great atmosphere worthy of a Women’s Euro.”
The Manchester City Academy Stadium has a capacity of 7,000 and will host two Iceland group games in July against Belgium and Italy.
Eight Euro 2022 matches have so far sold out, including the opening game of the tournament at Old Trafford between England and Austria on 6 July.
England’s two other group stage matches - in Southampton and Brighton - and the final at Wembley, have also sold out.
“Iceland’s two opening fixtures have sold out, alongside six other Euro 2022 fixtures, which highlights the huge level of interest in the tournament already,” organisers said.
“We believe that with two of the biggest football stadiums in England [Old Trafford and Wembley], four venues with a capacity of 30,000 or more, two venues over 10,000 and two stadiums under 10,000, the right mix of stadiums has been chosen to provide the tournament with a platform to fulfil its potential.
“We are confident that many matches will be sold out and are looking forward to more than doubling the total attendance of Uefa Women’s Euro 2017 in the Netherlands and delivering the best ever Uefa Women’s Euro.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments