Police and authorities in Ireland and England are to hold high-level talks after the two countries were drawn together in the same Nations League group.
Mail Sport understands that the scheduled 5pm kick-off in Dublin for the Saturday, September 7 fixture will be top of the agenda, amid concerns that a minority of English supporters could head to the Irish capital intent on causing trouble.
UEFA are notoriously rigid when it comes to scheduling but sources have disclosed that they may be asked to bring the start time forward.
It is 33 years since the teams played a competitive fixture. In 1995, England’s friendly with Ireland was abandoned amid sickening scenes when English hooligans ripped out benches at Lansdowne Road and hurled them and other missiles at Irish supporters below.
The Three Lions did return to the Aviva Stadium for a friendly in 2015 which passed without major incident. However, that fixture kicked off at 1pm and there are already fears that a 5pm start — and extra time in the pub — could spell trouble.
Police authorities in Ireland and England will hold talks ahead of their Nations League fixture