Russia look for venue change

[Neil]

Russia are to lodge a request with UEFA to have the venue of their Euro 2004 qualifier with Georgia to a neutral venue because of instability in the former Soviet Republic.

The Russians say they are also concerned about the crowd trouble which marred Georgia's match with Ireland.

This marks the second official Russian request to play the Georgia match, scheduled for April 30, on a neutral ground.

The RFU first asked UEFA to move the game after the team's Group 10 clash on October 12 was interrupted when the floodlights went out.

aertel (http://www.rte.ie/aertel/p231.htm)

[patsh]

They could get their wish too. Any objective report on last Saturday's game will show that to play there is not safe.

[Shed End John]

Originally posted by Neil
The Russians say they are also concerned about the crowd trouble which marred Georgia's match with Ireland.

This marks the second official Russian request to play the Georgia match, scheduled for April 30, on a neutral ground.


I'd be concerned if i was them too. We should count ourselves lucky that only knives were thrown. After the Rugby World Cup qualifier played in Tblisi, which incidentally drew a full house, the reports were that the Russians were lucky to get out alive! Judging by that, the russian soccer team will probably be lynched by those psychos!

[Badweather Fan]

Interesting comments from Kerr on that today.
He said it'd be unfair to move their home matches as Russia and Switzerland wouldn't have the same disadvantage that Ireland had.
Never thought of that.
He's right too.

[James]

wow BWF thought that was kinda bvious meself like
for someone in UCC you're giving the college a bad name with such lack of thought.

any more of that carryon and its away to the rtc with ya :D

[sadloserkid]

I agree with Kerr but at the same time, looking at the bigger picture it's patently unsafe for visiting teams there. It'll be a tough break for us if they do get to change the venue but I wouldn't protest too much about it to be honest.