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Weather forces inspection before Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier Weather postpones Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Russia
(about 1 hour later)
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. Northern Ireland's crucial World Cup qualifier against Russia at Windsor Park has been postponed until 3pm on Saturday due to the snow in Belfast, the Irish Football Association has announced.
An Irish Football Association statement said: "The referee will inspect the pitch at 10:00 this morning as part of his normal duty. Ground staff spent the day clearing the snow off the pitch but more is expected to fall before the kick-off which was originally scheduled for 7.45pm on Friday night.
"We will keep you updated throughout the day." Windsor Park is among the more basic grounds in international football and it does not have much in the way of defences against the elements.
Ground staff are clearing the snow off the pitch but more is expected to fall before tonight's 74.5 pm kick-off. 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.
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. Question marks will naturally be raised over the likelihood of the game taking place on Saturday, with more bad weather expected through the night.
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. The Irish Football Association announced a briefing at 10.30am in the morning, during which more details will be provided.
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. IFA staff – including the chief executive Patrick Nelson – did their best to salvage the situation by shovelling snow from the pitch in grim conditions, but their efforts were in vain.
The delay is likely to cause additional problems, with Northern Ireland due to host Israel in the second match of the Group F double-header on Tuesday.
That match is now itself in some doubt, with the pitch highly unlikely to be in an acceptable condition should a game go ahead this weekend.
Russia, meanwhile, are due to play Brazil in a friendly at Stamford Bridge on Monday but now face the prospect of a one-day break between games.
The inclement weather also forced the closure of the runway at George Best Belfast City Airport and the Association of Northern Ireland Supporters Clubs registered their concerns with the IFA over the safety of fans travelling to the match.