Ulster Unionist Sports Spokesperson Leslie Cree MLA has welcomed clarification from the Irish Football Association that the Northern Ireland v Romania game will go ahead as scheduled at Windsor Park on Saturday 13th June.
Mr Cree, who is the Party’s representative on the Assembly’s Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee, said:
“Northern Ireland fans barely had time to digest the 2-1 win against Finland three weeks ago before it became clear that something was badly wrong with the Kop or West Stand at Windsor Park.
“In the intervening period there has been a great deal of speculation as to the state of the Kop stand and what the implications were for staging a number of important matches, including the Irish Cup Final and the Romania game.
“At Stormont today I had the opportunity to meet with and question IFA officials including Chairman Jim Shaw and Chief Executive Patrick Nelson. They are confident that a plan is in place whereby the Kop stand can be demolished and sufficient seats installed in Railway Stand, South East corner of the stadium and the South Stand to enable the vital European Championship qualifier against Romania to take place as scheduled at Windsor Park on Saturday 13th June.
“Today’s clear statement of intent from the IFA, will be welcomed by all Northern Ireland fans. I wish the IFA every success with this plan and hope that all goes to schedule and that the Northern Ireland fans are inside the famous South Belfast venue in June to cheer the team to three more vital points on the journey to qualify for the European Championships in France in the summer of 2016.”