The Republic of Ireland's Euro 2020 play-off tie on March 26 is under threat after the host government in Slovakia ordered a 14-day ban on all sporting events last night.
Emergency talks took place yesterday between the FAI, Slovakian FA (SFZ), UEFA and the Irish Embassy in Slovakia ahead of the March 26 clash.
“As of today, Monday, the game is scheduled to go ahead as planned but talks will continue involving all parties,” the FAI said in a statement last night.
“The Slovakian FA are in constant communication with their Government and health officials and will inform us immediately of any update.
“The FAI will continue to heed the advice of the Irish Government and UEFA in relation to this game.
“We will relay any news around the fixtures to supporters and staff as soon as it becomes available.”
Football in Slovakia’s top flight is going ahead as normal – for now – but regional leagues have the power to call off games as they see fit.
There are currently seven confirmed cases of coronavirus in Slovakia ahead of this month’s game where over 2,000 Irish fans are expected to travel.
SFZ officials insist the final decision will rest with the Slovakian government.
Last week, UEFA said any decision to move the Euro 2020 play-off between Mick McCarthy’s (right) men and their central European rivals behind-closed-doors or even to another city would be made “at the last minute.”
UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis said: “We are in contact with the governments and are taking games on a case-by-case basis.
“It’ll be a last minute decision. We have been working on different scenarios. There are plans for everything.”
