March 3 – Northern Irish officials have confirmed that this week’s friendly in Cyprus will go ahead despite the bombing of local referee Leontios Trattou’s (pictured) car on the island last Friday. Trattou is scheduled to referee the Ukraine vs US friendly on the island. All first division matches were suspended at the weekend.
Irish Football Association chief executive Patrick Nelson said he had spoken to the Cypriot FA and that it was safe for the game to take place.
“The latest information is that the incident would have nothing to do with international football and wouldn’t put the game in jeopardy,” said Nelson. “However, we’re being sensible, we’re monitoring developments, we’re going to be in touch with the Cypriot FA again, we’re waiting for the FCO – the Foreign and Commonwealth Office – to comment on it and we’re keeping our eyes on it.”
As well as Northern Ireland’s match, England’s women take on Italy in the Cyprus Cup in Nicosia on Wednesday, while a forthcoming World Cup warm-up friendly between Ukraine and the United States has been switched to the Mediterranean island due to the ongoing instability in Ukraine.
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