Georgia v Northern Ireland to be behind closed doors

Northern Ireland's opening Nations League game in Georgia in September will be played behind closed doors.

Northern Ireland were drawn with Hungary, Ukraine and Georgia in League B2.

NI will start their campaign in Georgia on 25 September, however it will be played without supports after the Georgian FA were hit with sanctions after multiple breaches of Uefa regulations and crowd disorder from a game against Armenia last year.

Patrick Nelson, the chief executive at the Irish FA, said it was "naturally disappointing".

"We will be liaising closely with all relevant stakeholders in the lead-up to the game," he said.

"While it is naturally disappointing that our supporters will be unable to attend and back the team in person, the priority remains the safety and security of everyone involved."

Northern Ireland fans spokesperson Gary McAllister said they were only informed of the issue by Football Supporters Europe, and a number of fans had booked flights to Georgia when the fixtures were released in the morning because they did not know the game would likely be behind closed doors.

"Our criticism of this would be that no one advised us of this," McAllister said.

"I know that some fans have already booked their travel for Georgia. I think there has to be better processes in place to advise people, but I would also argue that punishing the innocent because of the guilty is entirely wrong.

"Northern Ireland fans are being punished for the actions of Georgian fans. I think that is an issue that needs to be revisited by Uefa."

When contacted by BBC Sport, and Irish FA spokesperson said: "We recognise our fans' frustration on this matter.

"We were not informed about this ahead of the fixtures being announced and have raised the matter with Uefa."

Uefa has been contacted for comment.

Northern Ireland Nations League fixtures:

25 September: Georgia v Northern Ireland

28 September: Northern Ireland v Hungary

2 October: Ukraine v Northern Ireland

5 October: Northern Ireland v Georgia

14 November: Northern Ireland v Ukraine

17 November: Hungary v Northern Ireland