Crusaders' Paul Heatley on the ball during his side's Champions League qualifier against FC Levadia in Belfast last month.

Crusaders' Paul Heatley on the ball during his side's Champions League qualifier against FC Levadia in Belfast last month.

CRUSADERS’ CHAMPIONS LEAGUE opponents Skenderbeu will have to pick up their UK visas in Paris en route to Belfast for the second leg of their Champions League 2nd round qualifier tomorrow night after an embarrassing clerical error.

The Albanian side have endured some unwanted late drama after a club official incorrectly applied for Irish visas instead of the required UK credentials.

Reports in the Albanian media this morning suggested the game, which is set for Crusaders’ Seaview stadium, would have to be postponed.

But speaking to The42, club spokesman Michael Long confirmed that the clash would go ahead as planned.

“It is true that they applied to the wrong embassy. But hopefully they’ll get to Paris this morning and collect their UK visas and we’re expecting to have them in Northern Ireland anytime now.”

“We heard about it the other day and between ourselves and the different agencies we got sorted out. They were due to arrive today anyway and they will still be arriving today.

“And to reiterate, the game will go ahead as planned”.

Crusaders have it all to do in the second-leg having suffered a 4-1 defeat in Korca last week.