Stadiums: European Commission authorises state aid in context of local policy goals

The giving of state aid has been authorised for the renovation of stadiums, but only to fulfil local policy goals, the European Commission stated in a decision on 09/04/2014. This allows Northern Ireland to grant £110m (approximately €133m) for the rebuilding of three stadiums in Belfast.

"The reconstruction of the three stadiums will contribute to the regeneration of disadvantaged urban communities in Belfast. It will furthermore promote social cohesion across religious divides and encourage communities to come together through the most popular sports of the region," said Joaquín Almunia, vice-president of the commission in charge of competition policy.

The European organisation decided that the grant complies with the rules of the EU (European Union) concerning state aid and does not distort competition within the single market.

• The European Commission decided on 18/12/2013, for different reasons, that French public aid for the renovation and construction of stadiums for Euro 2016 (10/06 - 10/07/2016) also complies with the rules of the European Union.
• They decided that the aid…