Northern Ireland and Russia at odds over rescheduling

THE re-arrangement of Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against Russia looks set to become a thorny issue, with none of the available dates likely to please both parties.

The Group F match, which was postponed on Friday night and again on Saturday due to heavy snow and icy playing conditions at Windsor Park, will need to be played before the end of qualifying in October, but discussions are set to be less than straightforward.

Russia face Portugal on 7 June and would be keen to fit in a trip to Belfast following that. But the Irish Football Association are against scheduling the game several weeks after the end of the British domestic season. An international date also exists on 14 August, but Russia have already agreed to face Argentina in a friendly.

Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill has suggested slotting in a fixture at the end of May, but the most likely date – 31 May – falls the day before key man Jonny Evans’ wedding.

Negotiations between the Northern Irish and Russian associations will not take place until after the former’s match against Israel tomorrow, and if no agreement is reached, Fifa will be called on to nominate the date.

Assessing the options available, O’Neill said: “If we play on one of the international dates in June that could be four to six weeks since the players were in regular football – well into their summer break. That would not be ideal.

“August is also an option but it would mean Russia cancelling their friendly with Argentina and I’m not sure they’d be willing to do that. If possible, I’m going for a date in May as close to the end of the season as possible. I’m hoping something can be arranged.”