Northern Ireland pitch passes inspection

Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against San Marino will go ahead tonight after the rain relented in Rimini

Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifier against San Marino will go ahead tonight after the rain relented in Rimini. The fixture had been in doubt with Irish Football Association officials liaising with their San Marino counterparts after prolonged bad weather.

However a spokesman from the San Marino association revealed this evening the match, due to kick off at 8.30pm local time (7.30pm Irish), will go ahead.

After the rain relented this afternoon, leaving some surface water, a routine check by Fifa confirmed the pitch was playable.