FAI seek answers over venue switch

The Football Association of Ireland are hoping to resolve a dispute with their Slovakian counterparts over the venue for October’s European Championship qualifier.

The Slovakian federation (SFZ) informed the FAI and UEFA, both formally and in writing, that the Group B match on October 12 with the Republic of Ireland would take place in Bratislava.

That resulted in an FAI delegation recently visiting the city to do a routine check and compile a dossier on the stadium, its facilities and the hotels in the area.

However, the SFZ yesterday informed the FAI they had changed their mind and the game would now take place in Zilina, 125 miles and two hours away from Bratislava.

Given many Ireland fans have already made travel arrangements to Bratislava, the FAI has been forced to write to the SFZ and UEFA asking them to retain their original choice of venue.