Windsor Park could be forced to close

Northern Ireland may have to play their home matches in Scotland or England unless the British government pay to replace Windsor Park's damaged roof.

Irish Football Association president Jim Boyce said the organisation did not have the estimated £325,000 needed to replace the roof on the North Stand.

Boyce said that without assistance there was a "serious possibility" home games would move from Windsor Park.

But March's Euro 2008 qualifier with Sweden will go ahead at the stadium.

However, a safety certificate issued before last week's friendly with Wales in Belfast will not be given again after the Euro qualifier against the Swedes on March 28th.

The North Stand roof was damaged in storms over the Christmas period and early January. "We have been told a decision will have to be made after the Sweden match to either replace the roof of the North Stand or just take it off," said Boyce.

"The estimated cost of a new roof is £325,000 and we simply don't have that sort of money. As there is no other stadium in Northern Ireland capable of hosting international football, going to probably Scotland, or maybe England, would be the only avenue open to us.

"The IFA will obviously have to make their contribution but we simply don't have that sort of money."

The North Stand is owned solely by the IFA with Irish League club Linfield owning the remainder of the stadium. Safety concerns over Windsor Park have not been isolated to the North Stand roof.

An independent report looking at the Windsor Park's suitability for international football recently assessed the stadium as a significant fire risk.

Boyce said that the estimated cost for Windsor Park to be brought up to a "standard to see us through" the next four to five years is £1.5 million. "It should be in the government's interest to make sure (international) football is maintained here in Northern Ireland - we simply have nowhere else to play it," said Boyce.