WORLD CUP group games for England and Scotland are under threat – because the stadium has yet to be granted a licence.
City chiefs in Foxborough, situated 22 miles south west of Boston, remain at loggerheads with Fifa over the use of the Gillette Stadium home of the New England Patriots.
England’s World Cup plans could be disrupted over a stadium rowCredit: Getty
Foxborough public officials are demanding Fifa cover the £6m costs to stage matches at the Gillette StadiumCredit: Getty
The 66,000-capacity venue is due to host seven matches including first two group games against Haiti and Morocco and second clash with Ghana on June 23.
But Fifa might be forced into a late swap because of a major cash row between world game chiefs and the city council.
Foxborough public officials are demanding front up £6m to cover manpower and infrastructure costs surrounding games during the tournament.
The official hosting agreement makes cities liable to pay for policing, safety and protection costs, although US federal funds are available to borrow.
It had been anticipated that the owners, the Kraft family, would bankroll those overheads but they declined to do so.
The Kraft family say that the stadium is in Fifa’s hands for the duration of the – with the world body taking control of stadium preparation from next month, including replacing the artificial surface with a new grass pitch.
But the Foxborough Select Board has insisted the required entertainment licence “won’t be granted” unless the cash is forthcoming.
Board head Bill Yukna said: “The town is going to stand behind the request of the money for both manpower and some capital and expense items.
“And if they aren’t met, then as this board has discussed in the past, the license won’t be granted. We are going to be very clear with that.”
Boston’s right to host games was questioned last year by US President , who had a public beef with the city’s Democrat mayor.
That issue appeared to have been set aside by the .
And while it is still likely that a compromise will be reached, it is the latest indication of tensions behind the scenes.
The Gillette Stadium row comes with a number of host cities threatening to rein back on the number of days the tournament “Fan Fests” will be open to supporters.
Fifa had announced that all the fan zones would be open throughout the event but local chiefs said their one, outside Boston’s City Hall Plaza, would be open for “up to 16 days”.
Scott McTominay will hope Scotland can pick up two wins in BostonCredit: Getty
The Krafts – who own the New England Patriots – are refusing to pay the moneyCredit: Reuters
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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