Northern Ireland may be forced to play on neutral ground due to opponent
Yasmine Green
Dailysports's expert
On November 15, Northern Ireland’s national team was set to play its final home match of this Nations League campaign, but it now appears that the game will be relocated to a neutral venue.
Details: The match, scheduled against Belarus, faces complications because of a UK government directive that requires teams from Belarus to compete as neutral entities without national symbols or flags. While this is uncommon in football, it raises questions about Northern Ireland’s ability to host Belarus in Belfast as initially planned. Furthermore, Belarusian players would need to secure visas to enter Belfast, adding another layer of difficulty.
The Irish Football Association has refrained from commenting on the matter, only stating that it is in communication with UEFA and government representatives to determine the next steps.
Reminder: Under UEFA’s mandate, the Belarusian national team is required to play without spectators and on neutral grounds due to its nation’s involvement in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Read also: From stadium to bomb shelter. Victor Osimhen's friend told about life, soccer and the war in Ukraine
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