An FAI delegation, headed by the president Pat Quigley, will today meet officials from the Department for Defence to discuss the problems which are threatening the association's proposed new stadium, Eircom Park.

The FAI is seeking to convince the Minister for Defence, Michael Smith, that objections to the stadium because of its proximity to Casement military aerodrome are irrational.

The FAI plan to call an aviation expert to present the case for permission for the 45,000 all-seater stadium to start on schedule in the autumn. Yet, the early indications are that Department officials are still strongly opposed to it.

Cross-Border relations were strained yesterday after the IFA turned down a renewed request by the FAI for a Republic of Ireland team to take part in the triangular under-21 tournament which they will host in Belfast in May. Instead Wales have accepted an invitation to join Scotland and Northern Ireland in the competition.

The Republic will be involved in an under-21 tournament in Toulon at roughly the same time, but some weeks ago the FAI informed their Northern counterparts that they have the resources to field two teams at this level. This was later rejected by the IFA but the matter may be raised in Belfast today when the FAI will be represented at a memorial service for the late Harry Cavan.

The Republic of Ireland have jumped two places to 35th in the FIFA world rankings, while England remain 11th.