Change of venue for Northern Ireland's UEFA Euro 2020 semi-final

Northern Ireland's UEFA Euro 2020 play-off semi-final against Bosnia and Herzegovina next month has been moved to Sarajevo from Zenica.

The game on Thursday 8 October was due to have been played at Zenica's Bilino Polje Stadium where the Republic of Ireland earned a 1-1 draw nearly five years ago Euro 2016 play-off first leg amidst an incredibly dense fog.

However the Bosnia and Herzegovina Football Federation made a request to UEFA and the IFA, asking if they could move the game to the Grbavica Stadium in the capital city because of the poor condition of the pitch in Zenica following a UEFA Nations League match against Poland earlier this month.

UEFA and the Irish FA have now both agreed to the switch for what will be a behind-closed-doors match due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The Bosnian Football Federation said the playing surface at the Grbavica Stadium, where Northern Ireland were defeated 2-0 in a Nations League encounter two years ago, is “in very good condition”.

13 November 2015; Robbie Brady, Republic of Ireland, celebrates after scoring his side's first goal. UEFA EURO 2016 Championship Qualifier Play-off, 1st Leg, Bosnia and Herzegovina v Republic of Ireland. Stadion Bilino Pole, Zenica, Bosnia & Herzegovina. Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE

On the same night as the play-off match in Sarajevo, Stephen Kenny's Republic of Ireland side will be taking on Slovakia at the National Football Stadium in Bratislava.

The winners of each tie will meet in the final on 12 November with Kenny's team playing away from home.

Northern Ireland had a mixed start under new boss Ian Baraclough, drawing their UEFA Nations League opener with ten men against a tough Romanian outfit 1-1 in Bucharest.

That was followed up by a chastening 5-1 defeat to Norway at Windsor Park in Belfast.

Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!

Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.