Brian Kerr has leapt to the defence of the FAI's controversial Eircom Park project - and he has lashed out at the "men in suits" who are orchestrating the opposition.

Ireland's underage supremo claims that grass-roots soccer people around the country are firmly behind the plan for a national soccer stadium - and that the national league clubs are pursuing a "political agenda" in opposing the project.

"I feel compelled to speak out because I feel the opinion of the fellas at grass-roots level is not being fairly represented to the Board of Management," Kerr said. "It seems to me - and to almost everyone I talk to across the country - that opposition to Eircom Park is confined to a select few in suits. I question whether those critics are representative of the 170,000 players in this country and the 4,500clubs."

Kerr was particularly critical of Shelbourne, who are leading the campaign against Eircom Park.

"Why are delegates in the league clubs opposed? It seems there are political agendas in operation. Of Shelbourne, in particular, I have to be critical because they know how difficult to survive without a ground and how beneficial it is to own your own stadium."

The support of such a respected figure as Kerr comes as a major boost to embattled Bernard O'Byrne, the FAI chief executive at the helm of the Eircom Park development.