NI match called off again over ice

Published Saturday, 23 March 2013

Northern Ireland's World Cup qualifier against Russia at Windsor Park has been postponed for a second time in 24 hours due the weather conditions.

Groundsmen pictured on the pitch on Saturday (© Presseye)

PICTURE

GALLERY

Northern Ireland were due to play Russia in a World Cup qualifier at wintry Windsor Park.

Norwegian referee Tom Hagen and a team of match delegates called off the rearranged game, which had a 3pm kick-off, on Saturday morning after ice formed on the Belfast pitch following heavy snowfall overnight.

The decision followed a meeting with officials, including representatives from both associations, at 10am.

It was announced after the Irish Football Association called on all Northern Ireland fans to come to Windsor Park and help clear snow from the pitch.

"Bring shovels. Game is still in doubt though," the IFA tweeted from their official account earlier.

On Friday, teams had already worked hard to try to clear the snow before the referee declared the pitch unplayable following a series of inspections.

It is unclear when the qualifier, which will now need to be fitted in elsewhere in the international calendar, will be played.

Russia face Brazil on Monday while Northern Ireland are due to play against Israel at home on Tuesday night.

As a result of Friday's change of date for the international game, Saturday's league fixtures - which were all due to kick off at 3pm - were all postponed.

Ballinamallard were due to host Linfield, Cliftonville should have met Ballymena United, Dungannon Swifts were supposed to face Donegal Celtic, Glenavon were to play Coleraine, Glentoran should have hosted Crusaders and Lisburn Distillery should have met Portadown.

We realise that the request for help was quickly followed by the official postponement, but it was the referee's decision due to the ice
— Official Irish FA (@OfficialIrishFA) March 23, 2013

Comments

16 Comments

Mark in NI wrote (85 days ago):

Gak in Newcastle - LOL ur suffering from delusions LOL

Iain in Belfast wrote (86 days ago):

Gak, you show a complete lack of education and contempt for supporters of Northern Ireland. Check a map and I don't think you will find the 6 counties anywhere. So do you support Ireland or the 26 counties? Such ignorance that you can't even get the name right. Back to school for you.

Alan in IOM wrote (86 days ago):

No ones fault , can't change the weather . Can't beleive UTV are allowing some of the biggoted comments on a sports story !

s magowan in belfast wrote (86 days ago):

I don't think the IFA are to blame for this one,blame Stormont,they are the people who hand out the money to develop the game here and they have failed miserably.The development of Windsor Park should have been given priority and started four years ago instead You will find at the end of the upgrading of all three stadiums,Windsor will come out less well off,facility wise,than the other two codes.Football over the past decades have become the poor relations of sport in NI,with less cash grants and media attention.

liam in belfast wrote (86 days ago):

jungle in ballyclare we are living in 2013 not the 1950s,for an so called national stadium not to have undersoil heating is a joke just like the ifa and windsor park.you state there was matches called of yesterday in england and scotland,there was also many many small clubs in scotland and england who managed to play their games yesterday as they probably pre-planned for the snow unlike the ifa.maybe regulations should be brought in if your ground isnt up to international standard then u shouldnt be permitted to host international games.no wonder the russians where laughin at us on friday night.i think they where clearly thinking along the same lines as me and share my opinion that the idiots tag belongs to the ifa my friend..

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