Northern Ireland

No flags or anthems at women's World Cup qualifier following 'threat'

The teams lined up before the start of the Northern Ireland v Republic of Ireland Women's World Cup Qualifier on Tuesday, but no flags and anthems were allowed. Picture by David Hunter/Pacemaker
The teams lined up before the start of the Northern Ireland v Republic of Ireland Women's World Cup Qualifier on Tuesday, but no flags and anthems were allowed. Picture by David Hunter/Pacemaker The teams lined up before the start of the Northern Ireland v Republic of Ireland Women's World Cup Qualifier on Tuesday, but no flags and anthems were allowed. Picture by David Hunter/Pacemaker

A THREAT is believed to have prompted the decision to not to fly flags or play anthems at a women's World Cup qualifier between Northern Ireland and the Republic in Co Armagh.

The move was made shortly before the match at Mourneview Park in Lurgan on Tuesday after "safety concerns" were raised.

It is understood the decision was taken by football governing body UEFA, although the nature of the threat - believed to be loyalist - was unclear last night.

It had been planned to allow both flags to be flown and both anthems to be played at the game.

In a statement, governing body UEFA said: "Both associations agreed not to fly any national flags nor play any of the national anthems. This decision was based on safety and security priorities and was validated by the UEFA match delegate on site."

The Irish Football Association (IFA) said it was disappointed that the normal pre-match protocols could not be observed.

"The Irish FA believes that the flag of both competing teams should be flown at a match venue and that their anthems should be played before a game.

"While understanding the safety concerns behind the UEFA match delegate’s decision, the association is disappointed that it was not possible for the normal pre-match protocols to be observed last night."

The Football Association of Ireland said the decision was taken by UEFA "on foot of information received by the police, the match venue and the IFA around safety concerns".

The Republic won the game 2-0 after an own goal from Rachel Furness and a strike from Megan Campbell.