Inver Park unable to host European games in 2025-26
Larne will be unable to host European matches at Inver Park next season should they qualify for the Uefa Conference League after their home ground failed a Fifa Pro Standard pitch test.The two-time Irish Premiership champions, who this season lost their crown to Linfield, have nominated the Ballymena Showgrounds as their potential home venue."As the playing surface at Inver Park comes to the end of its natural lifespan for European competition, we have been unsuccessful in the latest Fifa Pro Standard pitch test," said a club statement."An upgrade of the artificial surface at Inver Park is an important component of our recent application to the Northern Ireland Football Fund, alongside a much-needed rebuild of our stadium's main stand."Larne reached the league phase of the competition this season and used Linfield's Windsor Park for home matches against Shamrock Rovers, St Gallen and Gent. They were, however, able to play qualifying rounds at Inver Park, including a famous victory over Lincoln Red Imps. Two seasons ago, issues with the playing surface at their home ground in east Antrim saw the Inver Reds play their games at Cliftonville's Solitude ground. Larne said they there was a "single issue" that prevented them staging games in 2023-24 that was rectified for this season. With the pitch now in its eighth year, a similar fix "was not a possibility" this time around.Gary Haveron's side are second in the Irish Premiership going into the final day of the season on Saturday and will qualify for Europe should they avoid defeat at home to Glentoran in a game to be streamed live on the BBC iPlayer and website. Even if they lose out on second place to the Glens, Larne could still make it into the Conference League qualifying rounds through the Irish Premiership European play-off.Dungannon Swifts have also had to put forward an alternative venue, listing Solitude rather than Stangmore Park.Rodney McAree's side would qualify for Europe if they win the Irish Cup final against Cliftonville on 3 May or win the play-off.
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