Uefa to decide on Montenegro v Wales venue switch

Futbol

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Podgorica National Stadium
Podgorica National Stadium, pictured before its pitch issues, has been Montenegro’s home since they played their first international in 2007 [Getty Images]

The venue for Wales‘ Nations League trip to Montenegro next month could be changed because of the poor condition of the Podgorica National Stadium pitch.

Uefa inspectors visited the Podgorica pitch on Sunday and are understood to have serious concerns about the game going ahead in the capital.

Niksic’s City Stadium could now host the Wales fixture on 9 September.

Football Association of Wales (FAW) chief executive Noel Mooney said: “We have been asking for a new pitch to be laid in Podgorica for several weeks.

“We will wait to see if that can happen in time, but we will learn on Tuesday where the game will be played.”

Earlier this month a spokesperson for European football’s governing body told BBC Sport Wales they were confident the game could go ahead at the original venue.

Reports in the Montenegrin media had showed the Podgorica National Stadium pitch to be dry and cratered in places, with large areas of grass missing.

The pitch was deemed unfit for a Uefa Conference League qualifier and Buducnost Podgorica’s fixture against CSKA Sofia was switched to the nearby DG Arena.

An FAW delegation have inspected the pitch and doubts remain about its suitability to host Montengro v Wales following Sunday’s inspection by Uefa officials.

On Monday Uefa visited the alternative venue in Niksic, which has never staged a senior international. There are concerns the 5,000-capacity stadium does not meet Uefa criteria for staging such matches.

A change of venue would pose logistical problems for the FAW and 700 Wales fans, many of whom have already booked accommodation in the capital.

Niksic is around 53 kilometres from Podgorica, with the journey taking about an hour by bus or train.

It is understood Uefa will not pursue other possible alternatives for hosting the fixture.

These include playing the game on neutral territory in neighbouring Albania or reversing the fixture with Wales hosting next month’s meeting and Craig Bellamy’s side travelling to Montenegro in October.

Wales start their Nations League campaign on Friday, 6 September with Turkey’s visit to Cardiff the first game for new boss Bellamy.

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