Hot Press can confirm that rumours that Bruce Springsteen will be playing Croke Park this year are completely unfounded.

Hot Press has spoken to promoter Peter Aiken, of Aiken Promotions – who have handled all of Springsteen’s Irish shows, since he first appeared here at Slane Castle in 1985, opening the Europeam leg of the Born In The USA tour.

“I have no idea where the story came from that Bruce was going to play Croke Park,” Peter, who is currently in the States, told Hot Press. “It astonishes me that someone can just run with a story like that. No one spoke to me about it at any stage before it was printed – and we have consistently promoted Bruce Springsteen’s shows in Ireland. I can tell you that there is no truth whatsoever in it. It is not happening. It is as simple as that.”

The story has been picked up by media all over the globe – and Peter Aiken has inevitably been fielding calls from promoters anxious to find out what’s going on – or not as the case may be.

“It went worldwide,” Peter told Hot Press. “It’s on websites and in newspapers. And I have been talking to promoters, who have been asking me what’s happening. That’s what I’ve been doing for the past few hours: telling everyone the same thing, which is that there is no truth in it. It’s crazy to be put in this position but what can you do?"