Irish FA offers support to Ukraine with fixtures against Russia ruled out 'until further notice'

The Irish Football Association has confirmed that Northern Ireland won’t fulfill fixtures against Russian opposition at any level for the “foreseeable future” following Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Northern Ireland U21s were due to play a Euro 2023 qualifier against Russia U21s on March 29 but that fixture won't now proceed.

In a short statement issued this afternoon, the IFA also sent a “strong message of support to our friends in Ukraine during this period”.

It came just before FIFA and UEFA confirmed that all Russian clubs and national teams are now suspended from participation in both FIFA and UEFA competitions "until further notice".

The Irish FA statement read: “The Irish FA convened an extraordinary meeting of its Board today and confirmed that Northern Ireland will not compete in any fixtures for its international teams or those affiliated at club level against Russian teams for the foreseeable future.

“This includes the home UEFA U21 Euro qualifier (against Russia) scheduled for Tuesday, March 29.

“On behalf of everyone connected to the Irish FA, and indeed the wider football family in Northern Ireland, we send a strong message of support to our friends in Ukraine during this period.”

Northern Ireland's scheduled U21 fixture with Russia was on the IFA's website earlier today, but it has since been removed from the calendar.

The English, Scottish and Welsh FA have all issued similar statements in recent days, as did the Football of Association earlier today.

The Republic of Ireland is due to host Ukraine at the Aviva Stadium in a Nations League opener on June 4 before playing an away fixture against the ‘Blue and Yellow’ on June 14.

The away fixture was originally scheduled for Kiev and then Lviv, but