Republic set for England friendly

The Republic of Ireland will play an international friendly against England in 2013 as part of the Football Association’s 150th anniversary year

The Republic of Ireland will play an international friendly against England in 2013 as part of the Football Association’s 150th anniversary year

Both the FA and the FAI have been in talks about the possibility of arranging a friendly between the two sides and these talks have resulted in a friendly being scheduled for Wembley on May 29 with a return fixture likely to take place in 2014.

The two sides have not met in a full international game since the abandoned friendly played in Lansdowne Road in 1995 but Giovanni Trapattoni will finally get the opportunity to bring his Republic of Ireland squad to the rebuilt Wembley stadium for the first time.

The FA will mark its 150th anniversary in 2013 and as part of the celebrations five-times World Cup winners Brazil will visit Wembley on February 6 with Roy Hodgson’s squad travelling to Rio de Janeiro Rio as part of a two-game tour in early June 2013.

“We’re delighted Brazil will kick-off The FA’s 150th anniversary celebrations at Wembley,” Club England Managing Director Adrian Bevington explained.

“2013 is a landmark year for The FA and an exciting England fixture programme, in addition to Wembley hosting the UEFA Champions League Final, will form a key part of the celebrations.

“As the most successful footballing nation, with great players and supporters, it will be fantastic to launch this important year in English football’s history against such outstanding opponents as Brazil.

“We also look forward to hosting Republic of Ireland and Scotland at Wembley next year. These matches are sure to evoke great passion among supporters.

“We have been planning the fixtures in Brazil for over a year, as a key part of our preparation for 2014 – subject to qualification.

“Our players do not have any experience of playing in South America and it will undoubtedly be beneficial for the team to travel and play in Brazil, a year ahead of the World Cup. We negotiated our qualifying schedule with a specific view to allowing this.

“While in Brazil, The FA and England squad will play an active role in developing and supporting a charity programme both in advance of and during the summer of 2013 and 2014.”