Basel will replace the pitch on ahead of next week's Champions League game against Manchester United because of the damage sustained in Switzerland's World Cup qualifier.

Heavy rain in the build-up to Sunday's goalless draw against Northern Ireland meant the match was in some doubt leading up to kickoff. It went ahead but the boggy surface did not do either side any favours with the pitch cutting up and restricting the speed of the ball.

The club have decided it is so bad their only option is to...

Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill maintains his players still believe they can reach Russia and will not dwell on the penalty decision that could scupper their World Cup dream.

It is Switzerland who are currently on course to emerge from the playoffs with a finals ticket, having won 1-0 in Belfast thanks to a dubious penalty that still stings Northern Irish fans.

O'Neill insists his players are concentrating on overturning the deficit in Basel on Sunday, rather than stewing over referee Ovidiu...