IFA 'confident' NI v Belarus can take place in Belfast

Irish FA chief executive Patrick Nelson said the association has had "significant consultation" with the UK government in recent weeks

The Irish Football Association (IFA) has said it is "confident" that Northern Ireland's Nations League match at home to Belarus in November will take place at Windsor Park.

There was uncertainty over whether Belarus players and staff would be granted visas to play in the match in Belfast on 15 November by the UK government.

Belarus was included in the UK's sanctions against Russia, as the country has allowed its territory to be used by Russia's army to launch attacks into northern Ukraine.

Earlier this month, Northern Ireland's away fixture against Belarus was played behind closed doors in Zalaegerszeg in western Hungary, because of European governing body Uefa's restrictions on Belarus.

While Uefa's restrictions would not impact the game in Belfast, a venue in Europe would have to be secured if permission is not granted by the UK government for the game to take place in Belfast.

But the IFA has now said the fixture "has moved a step closer to being confirmed".

"The issuance of visas to the Belarus senior men’s football team in time to fulfil our scheduled Uefa Nations League fixture next month has been a well publicised matter," said chief executive Patrick Nelson.

"We have spent a number of weeks working to find a positive resolution to this. After significant consultation with our Government stakeholders, we are now confident that the game can take place at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park on Friday 15 November.

"We anticipate further updates in the coming period."

When contacted by BBC Sport NI, Uefa said it was in contact with the Irish and Belarusian federations but had no "further information to provide".