EUROPEAN FOOTBALL’S GOVERNING body, UEFA, has disregarded the requests of the Andorran FA to hold the nation’s European Championships qualifier with Ireland in Barcelona.
Dissatisfied with the decision, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) plans to contest the matter on appeal.
The FAI had been working on the assumption that the match, like several of Andorra’s recent home fixtures, would be held in the Catalan capital.
UEFA’s refusal to adhere to precedent looks certain to inconvenience a significant number of Irish fans who had already made travel arrangements for the tie.
FAI President John Delaney described UEFA’s decision as “a real blow to our fans” and suggested that, in light of the Andorran FA’s determination to hold the match in Barcelona, an appeal appeared the approriate course of action.
Ireland are scheduled to play Andorra on October 7th.