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Larne's Europa League qualifier against FC Iberia 1999 faces potential delay

The first leg of Larne's Europa League qualifier against Georgian side FC Iberia 1999 on Tuesday could be delayed by 24 hours due to paperwork issues affecting the visiting team's arrival.

  • FC Iberia 1999's chartered flight could not land on Sunday due to paperwork issues.
  • Uefa regulations state teams must not arrive less than 24 hours before kick-off.
  • The Georgian team could request a delay for the match.

The first leg of Larne's Europa League qualifier at Inver Park against FC Iberia 1999 on Tuesday could be postponed by 24 hours. The Georgian team encountered paperwork issues with their chartered flight, preventing them from landing in Northern Ireland on Sunday.

FC Iberia 1999's players and staff are not expected to arrive until Tuesday afternoon, with the match scheduled for 20:00 BST. Uefa regulations stipulate that teams must not arrive in a country for a match less than 24 hours before kick-off, which could lead to a delay.

The Georgian side may request a delay due to the circumstances surrounding their late arrival. The second leg is set for 11 August in Tblisi at 17:00 BST.

The winner of this tie will advance to face either Scottish Premiership side Rangers or Poland's Jagellonia Bialystock. The losing team will drop into the final qualifying round of the Uefa Conference League. Larne made history in 2024 by becoming the first Irish Premiership side to reach the league phase of a European competition, qualifying for the Uefa Conference League.

Why this matters: The potential delay could impact the scheduling and preparations for both teams in a crucial European qualifier.

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