England and Scotland World Cup games at risk in stadium funding row
England and Scotland’s World Cup group matches face uncertainty after US officials threatened to withhold a stadium licence in a dispute over security funding.
Local authorities in Foxborough, Massachusetts, have warned they will not sanction games at Gillette Stadium unless upfront costs are covered.
Town leaders insist they require approximately £5.8m to cover policing and fire safety operations during the tournament.
Fixtures under threat
The dispute centres on the 64,628-capacity venue, which is the home of the NFL franchise the New England Patriots.
Seven matches are scheduled to be played at the stadium, including a quarter-final tie.
Scotland are due to face Haiti on 13 June and Morocco on 19 June at the venue.
The Three Lions are then scheduled to play Ghana in Foxborough on 23 June.
However, the local select board has indicated it will refuse to issue the necessary entertainment licence if the funding issue is not resolved.
‘We have to secure that facility’
Officials state they cannot afford to pay the seven-figure security bill in advance while waiting for reimbursement.
Major safety equipment has reportedly not been ordered due to the financial standoff.
Bill Yukna, a member of the Foxborough select board, highlighted the scale of the operation required.
“It’s the equivalent of seven Super Bowls here and 39 days of coverage, which is not small and not to be lost. We have to secure that facility for 39 days straight.”
Bill Yukna, Foxborough select board member
Yukna added that the town was not trying to be “the bad guys” but had a duty to protect its citizens.
Fan Fest cancellation
The uncertainty comes just four months before the tournament is due to kick off.
Any change in venue would cause significant logistical issues for supporters who have already booked flights and accommodation.
In a separate development affecting travelling fans, the official Fifa Fan Fest for the New York and New Jersey area has also been scrapped.
France and Norway are also among the nations scheduled to play group fixtures at the Massachusetts venue.