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Weather forces inspection before Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier Weather forces inspection before Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier
(about 3 hours later)
Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Russia on Friday night is in doubt due to the weather in Belfast. Northern Ireland's crucial World Cup qualifier with Russia at Windsor Park is in doubt due to the snow in Belfast, which would be a first in Irish international football history. No Northern Ireland games have ever been called because of the weather.
Overnight rain and snow has left the city in wintry conditions, making the Windsor Park pitch a major concern. An Irish Football Association statement said: "The referee will inspect the pitch at 10:00 this morning as part of his normal duty.
Linfield's stadium is among the more basic in international football and it does not have much in the way of defences to the elements. "We will keep you updated throughout the day."
The Irish Football Association released the following statement on Friday morning: "The referee [Norway's Tom Hagen] will inspect the pitch at 10am this morning as part of his normal duty. We will keep you updated throughout the day." Ground staff are clearing the snow off the pitch but more is expected to fall before tonight's 74.5 pm kick-off.
The snow has also forced the closure of the runway at George Best Belfast City Airport. Windsor Park is among the more basic grounds in international football and it does not have much in the way of defences to the elements.
Groundsmen have been joined by local volunteers in their efforts to clear the snow and city council staff have been involved in gritting the approaches to the ground. If the match is postponed it would be rearranged for Saturday.
Meanwhile it really is a case of a tale of two cities when it comes to the weather in Northern Ireland today. Derry has escaped most of the snow unlike Belfast. However our journey was severely delayed due to that rumoured snow on the Glenshane Pass, which snow ploughs finally cleared shortly after noon.