Monday 20 April 2015 15:26, UK
Northern Ireland's crucial European Qualifier against Romania in June will be played at Windsor Park with a 10,000 capacity, despite confirmation the damaged West Stand at the Belfast venue must be demolished.
Irish Football Association officials faced tough questions from members of the NI Assembly at Stormont on Monday afternoon, with chief executive Patrick Nelson saying he is confident a temporary seating plan can be implemented in time.
Structural damage was found days after thousands of supporters watched from the West Stand as Northern Ireland beat Finland 2-1. The IFA says it is too soon to know the cause of this and investigations are under way.
"Naturally it is sad that we are having to resolve the West Stand issues in this manner, however the project team has worked tirelessly over the past three weeks to develop a plan which will enable us to play Romania in our own home in eight weeks’ time. Now the decision has been made, the focus turns to delivery," said Nelson.
The much-anticipated fixture is due to take place in less than eight weeks. A win would see Northern Ireland top the group with four games left to play.
"I attended the meetings on Friday and was impressed by the attention to detail in the plan put forward by the project team," said NI manager Michael O'Neill.
"I now look forward to the qualifier against Romania being played at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park.”
The Kingspan Stadium, home of Ulster rugby, is a category 4 UEFA stadium and is capable of hosting the match but IFA officials say no official approach was made.
