Northern Ireland may be forced to play next month’s home Nations League match against Belarus away from Windsor Park.
Fresh doubt has been cast over the proposed match on November 15 due to uncertainty over whether Belarusian players and staff will be granted entry visas to play in Northern Ireland.
After Michael O’Neill’s men played out a goalless draw in the first meeting of the sides on Saturday night behind closed doors at the ZTE Arena in Hungary, the Irish FA were preparing to stage the return game in Belfast.
However with Belarus included on the UK’s sanctions list due to their association with Russia on the war in Ukraine, it is understood Michael O’Neill may be instructed to play their ‘home’ match at a venue in continental Europe.
The UK Government told the Belfast Telegraph last month they were opposed to Northern Ireland playing matches against Belarus.
They have spoken to both the Irish FA and Northern Ireland Executive about the issue and talks are ongoing.
The UK Government has issued neutrality guidance to sporting bodies, saying that Russian and Belarusian athletes should only be able to compete in international sport as neutrals and not representing their country, and recognised the difficult position the Irish FA are in.
An IFA spokesperson said that it is “in contact with appropriate Uefa and Government officials on this matter”, with further discussions timetabled for this week.
O’Neill, meanwhile, admitted: “It’s not in our control, the situation in November. We’ll just address that when it comes.”
O’Neill’s side travelled to Zalaegerszeg in western Hungary to fulfil Belarus’ ‘home’ fixture due to sanctions imposed on the Belarus FA by Uefa.
Northern Ireland are set to play Bulgaria in the Nations League on Tuesday night at Windsor Park.