By Samindra Kunti
March 18 – The construction of Brussels’s EURO2020 stadium has hit a new snag: a public road on the lot bookmarked for the venue may cause a delay of six months. UEFA wants construction to start this year.
In February an environmental report had already cast doubt over the viability of the venue. Last week Ghemlanco, chosen by the council of Brussels to finance, build and operate the stadium, submitted additional documents to address the matter and convince the Flemish government to grant an environmental license as soon as possible.
UEFA selected Brussels ahead of Cardiff to host group matches and a round of 16 match during EURO2020. In September 2014 UEFA beat the drum for their pan-european vision of EURO2020 by announcing the 13 host cities and respective venues for the tournament. Banned UEFA president Michel Platini coined the tournament as a ‘romantic’ one-off to celebrate the 60th birthday of the European Championship.
With the King Baudouin Stadium outdated, Belgium proposed the ‘Eurostadium’, a state-of-the-art all-seater stadium on the outskirts of Brussels as the venue for EURO2020 with a construction delivery date in 2019. Ghemlanco had intended to commence construction during spring, but that will now be delayed.
In the latest setback for the project a public road over the proposed construction site, which is currently a big parking, may cause a severe delay. The legal procedure to undo the road can take up to six months.
“That’s incredible, because minister Vanhengel says that the dossier was examined thoroughly,” reacted Brussels MP Arnaud Verstraete. “This road has been recognised black and white by the Flemish authorities. If the Eurostadium fails, there has been a severe blunder.”
“To abolish the road takes at least six months and only then can get a building permit be issued, which takes up another six months,” continued Verstraete.
Ghemlanco has sought legal counsel to see if the consequences of a seemingly trivial detail can be halted.
UEFA has warned that Brussels must meet the delivery deadline of 2019. European football’s governing body insists, as the rules prescribe, that construction must start this year.
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