Ireland’s Euro 2020 play-off away to Slovakia will be played behind closed doors, the Slovakian FA has confirmed.
Mick McCarthy’s Ireland side will have to overcome Slovakia in front of an empty stadium after it was decided that the game will be played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus. The crucial Euro 2020 qualifier is scheduled to take place on Thursday, March 26 and the decision to ban supporters from the stadium was taken today by the Slovakian FA, on the advice of their government.
In a statement, the FAI said: ‘The decision has just been relayed to the Football Association of Ireland by the Slovakian FA following a directive from their government. All fans who purchased tickets for the game in Bratislava will be refunded.’
Slovakia v Republic of Ireland to take place behind closed doors
➡️ https://t.co/U6PyyYOBFz #COYBIG #SVKIRL🇸🇰🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/LQK0jhtxmx
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 10, 2020
With four qualification spots for this summer’s tournament still available, Ireland will have to beat Slovakia before facing the winners of Northern Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina. We’re in this position due to the fact we finished third in our main qualification group behind Switzerland and Denmark.
Euro 2020 is due to take place across 12 cities, including Dublin, from June 12 until July 12.
