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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Gareth Fullerton

Bosnian football officials continuing to monitor coronavirus situation

The Bosnian Football Association will continue taking guidance from UEFA and relevant health authorities ahead of this month's Euro 2020 playoff against Northern Ireland.

Michael O'Neill's side are due to play Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica on March 26

The first cases of coronavirus were detected in Bosnia this week, with healthcare officials saying it is a "matter of time" before new cases are reported.

It has been speculated that the game could be played behind closed doors, or moved to a neutral country.

The BI Football Association met on Friday but did not discuss potential scenarios surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.

Bosnian journalist Haris Mrkonja - who works for TV N1 Sarajevo - has been updating Northern Ireland fans on Twitter.

On Friday he tweeted: "To all #Nir fans: Bosnian FA did not talk about scenarios in case of a wider spread of #COVIDー19 in today's assembly.

"They stand by the previous statement to follow instructions from UEFA and authorities. Meanwhile, one more case has been confirmed near #BanjaLuka #BiHNir

"Healthcare officials now say that it's a matter of time before new cases are being confirmed. Still no risk of the match being played behind closed doors, or being cancelled altogether."

Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters Club chairman Gary McAllister said earlier this week that he was "hopeful" the coronavirus scare won't impact the forthcoming games.

Replying to Haris Mrkonja's update on Friday, McAllister tweeted: "It's still a case of 'as you were'."

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