Georgia game at risk?

[SalvadorSanchez]

:eek: The game against Georgia might be at risk, the Georgians are bombing and ground assaulting a breakaway region called South Ossetia, only problem is the Russians are backing the other guys and the Georgians just bombed a Russian base in South Ossetia and killed a load of peacekeepers... the Georgian President has mobilised his whole army and reservists so it looks like the real thing...suppose football is the last thing on their mind with the red army breathing down their necks... more on www.bbc.com/news (http://www.bbc.com/news)
I think we should still send John Delaney.....

[Supreme feet]

:( More conflict over there. Balls. Thought the Caucasus was relatively peaceful these days, besides Chechnya.

As for Ireland, it reminds me of the situation in 99 - a lot of games were rearranged because of the Kosovo conflict, and Croatia, Yugoslavia and Macedonia being in our group. If this conflict isn't resolved soon, I can see the game being put back, or even played on neutral territory (á la Israel playing games in Cyprus a few years ago).

So, any suggestions for a neutral venue, if it comes to that? Windsor Park or Millennium Stadium perhaps?!

[SalvadorSanchez]

It would be nice if they'd go for Athens or Budapest or Prague or something like that half way between both, they might go for Kiev, which is a pain for us to go to but manageable for thier fans,
I'd say some far flung s***hole like is more likely,
it won't be Moscow...that's for sure and no harm either....

[geysir]

I thought it was just a bit of an isolated scrap until I saw this BBC video report (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7546639.stm), it shows a full scale battle going on.
How much would one of those rocket launchers cost?

[Schumi]

So, any suggestions for a neutral venue, if it comes to that? Windsor Park or Millennium Stadium perhaps?!

How about Podgorica? We'll be there anyway!

[pineapple stu]

Postponed maybe? That's what happened the Yugoslavia and Croatia games in 1999, isn't it? Wouldn't like to have booked flights at this stage though.

[Sligo Hornet]

Postponed maybe? That's what happened the Yugoslavia and Croatia games in 1999, isn't it? Wouldn't like to have booked flights at this stage though.

Most of us already have!!:eek:.......still I am pretty convinced a ceasefire and session of talks will happen fairly quickly, now the eyes of the World are focusing in.

[SalvadorSanchez]

I thought it was just a bit of an isolated scrap until I saw this BBC video report (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7546639.stm), it shows a full scale battle going on.
How much would one of those rocket launchers cost?

Try the Irish league forum for the answer to that question...:D

[paul_oshea]

I thought it was just a bit of an isolated scrap until I saw this BBC video report (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7546639.stm), it shows a full scale battle going on.
How much would one of those rocket launchers cost?

Jees that fella would have been really good on blackboard jungle on the quick fire round :D he is sending those off at some speed :)

Who are you planning on using one on geysir?

It literally looks like "shooting stars" - good pun eh?

[stiofain]

Postponed maybe? That's what happened the Yugoslavia and Croatia games in 1999, isn't it? Wouldn't like to have booked flights at this stage though.

I intend to conact the Georgian embassy for advice regarding this. It would be awful not to go at this stage, with (expensive) flights booked and payed for.

[stiofain]

Short statement on fai.ie (http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3400)

[Sligo Hornet]

Perhaps we should refrain from launching footballs into the air in the Main Square.......the locals might mistake them for incoming mortars!;)

[tetsujin1979]

Statement issued from the FAI: http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3400

[geysir]

Russia has another interpretation of "not standing idly by" :)

There appears to be a huge amount of action but píss poor accuracy, just a couple of casualties.
That augurs well for our game

It's only a month away, it´s been a long time coming

[Ireland4ever]

I intend to conact the Georgian embassy for advice regarding this. It would be awful not to go at this stage, with (expensive) flights booked and payed for.

Letter to Georgian Embassy ''Eh hello, i know you might be busy being at war with Russia like, but is there any chance you can check if the Ireland game is going ahead cause ive planned a big session!''

It might not be top of his agenda!:D;)

[ken foree]

There appears to be a huge amount of action but píss poor accuracy, just a couple of casualties.
That augurs well for our game


heh, i know i shouldn't, but that made me chuckle.

[mypost]

Most of us already have!!:eek:.......still I am pretty convinced a ceasefire and session of talks will happen fairly quickly, now the eyes of the World are focusing in.

If the scrap continues, a decision will have to be made on the fixture within 2 weeks at the latest.

[Wolfie]

Didn't FIFA assuage the FAI's / Irish Supporters fears in 99 by assuring them that the planes flight paths would not intersect the missiles flight paths? :eek: :D

[newbie]

Perhaps we should refrain from launching footballs into the air in the Main Square.......the locals might mistake them for incoming mortars!;)

haha now that does be some craic,i dont know how many headers i won in San Marino and Bratislava!! was hopin Stan would see me and gimme a game!

[SalvadorSanchez]

The Russians have just sent Tanks in... and the Georgian President said it would be war if they got involved... so I guess it's war then... not looking good for the Green Army... Red Army are already in there and I don't think we can hold them back with inflated hammers, leprechaun hats and Guinness farts ... I suggest full frontal riverdance assault....:p

[Razors left peg]

The Russians have just sent Tanks in... and the Georgian President said it would be war if they got involved... so I guess it's war then... not looking good for the Green Army... Red Army are already in there and I don't think we can hold them back with inflated hammers, leprechaun hats and Guinness farts ... I suggest full frontal riverdance assault....:p

Jaysus I dunno...they could nearly stop nuclear missiles

[RogerMilla]

haha now that does be some craic,i dont know how many headers i won in San Marino and Bratislava!! was hopin Stan would see me and gimme a game!

thats how joe lapira got in.

[slow2anger]

"Situation in Georgia - Updated 8th August 14:30 GMT
Due to the situation in Georgia bmi has cancelled the following flights to and from Tbilisi.
BD955 LHR/TBS - 8 August 2008
BD956 TBS-LHR - 9 August 2008

bmi apologises for any inconvenience, but regrets that this situation is beyond our control."

[geysir]

The Russian tanks have arrived (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7548715.stm)
They look like one of my old Meccano fantasies, only with tractor diesel engines.

Come on Georgia

[stiofain]

Letter to Georgian Embassy ''Eh hello, i know you might be busy being at war with Russia like, but is there any chance you can check if the Ireland game is going ahead cause ive planned a big session!''

It might not be top of his agenda!:D;)

Was thinking more in regards to travel advice. The team and officials can arrange armed escorts during thier stay if necessary. I havent got that luxury.

[SalvadorSanchez]

I'd say the Georgia game is not going to happen now, the Georgian president has said that Russia are at war with them (D'uh!) and Ivan has bombed an airport outside Tblisi. (I think) so they're might not be an airport to fly into..
I hope the airlines and travel companies give you boys your money back... they'd be fierce tight not to....

[SuperDub]

If i remember back in 1999 they only postponed the game at the last minute only because the Irish Government refused to let Aer lingus to fly into serbian or macedonian air space so the decision was taken out of Fifa's hands

[Greenforever]

If i remember back in 1999 they only postponed the game at the last minute only because the Irish Government refused to let Aer lingus to fly into serbian or macedonian air space so the decision was taken out of Fifa's hands


You're right and the game was rearranged for the Weds before the Croatia match, Mark Kennedy scored a cracker in Lansdowne, the only qualifier I've missed at home in 30+ yrs as we were in Malta for the double header!

FIFA were reluctant to move the game as Yugoslavia had already played a few home games, however as this is the 1st game of the tournament don't be surprised if UEFA insist on Georgia playing all their home games at a neutral venue. Prague would suit me as thats the route we're flying :D plastic hammers at the ready :D

[zenokelly]

The only positive is that the area seems to be well away from Tbilisi. However I wouldn't be too confident after hearing this:


Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin told American President George W. Bush while present at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games today that "war has started today" in the region.:eek:

[Royal rover]

Brillant


The Russians have just sent Tanks in... and the Georgian President said it would be war if they got involved... so I guess it's war then... not looking good for the Green Army... Red Army are already in there and I don't think we can hold them back with inflated hammers, leprechaun hats and Guinness farts ... I suggest full frontal riverdance assault....:p

[Saint Tom]

Im told that in the event of airlines being unable to land due to war that they are legally obliged to refund airfares. Im on the czech airline flight (thursday back sunday morning and on to podgorica) and told that this is the case. If its not war we'll go, if it is we wont .. either way we wont lose out. the disaster will be if the game is played at a neutral venue and then having to get to Montenegro.

[tricky_colour]

Yes I would have thought you would get you money back, afterall the airline would be the one breaking the contract, so don't cancel, insist you still want to fly :D
Also the airline won't have lost any money, all they have done is make a booking.
There is a possibility the match might not be canceled, but it would be against Russia, not Georgia :o

[Kivlehan]

There may not be an independent nation named Georgia by the time the scheduled match day comes around.

[Duffman]

Didn't FIFA assuage the FAI's / Irish Supporters fears in 99 by assuring them that the planes flight paths would not intersect the missiles flight paths? :eek: :D

That is perfectly pitched. Its possible that its true and it would be sooo funny of it were but is it? For honest and for true?:)

[Closed Account 2]

The only positive is that the area seems to be well away from Tbilisi. However I wouldn't be too confident after hearing this:


It's actually only about 100km away...

3 hours by bus under normal conditions (i.e. pre-1992)

http://www.dw-world.de/image/0,,3548080_1,00.jpg

The Russian news is saying that Russian Su25s are bombing Gori (town in Central Georgia) and Georgian troops are attacking Russian peace keeper positions in Ossetia now and trying to take the Roki Tunnel... There are also reports that Abkhazia (northe west region in Georgia) and Adjara (south west near Turkey) are having unrest as the Georgian government is trying to conscript fighters from those regions. I am pretty certain the match will not go ahead now.

If they switch the match to a neighbouring country it would probably be Turkey (maybe Trabzon) or Azerbaijan. Armenia might be an option but they can't play it in Yerevan because on 6th September it's supposed to be Armenia v Turkey which is a high risk match in terms of incident. It could be switched to Baku I guess as the Azeris are away in Wales on the 6th.

[stiofain]

Watching images there on the news, i just pray that the situation is resolved as soon as possible for the sake of the people caught up in it all. It puts things in perspective for those of us worrying about getting our money back for our flights etc.

[Saint Tom]

Watching images there on the news, i just pray that the situation is resolved as soon as possible for the sake of the people caught up in it all. It puts things in perspective for those of us worrying about getting our money back for our flights etc.

Agreed Stiofain.

[zenokelly]

Watching images there on the news, i just pray that the situation is resolved as soon as possible for the sake of the people caught up in it all. It puts things in perspective for those of us worrying about getting our money back for our flights etc.

Yes that is the most important thing really.

But in terms of the match, I would presume that if the alternative venue isn't confirmed within the next week to 10 days the match will be postponed to a later date. Unless that the match is rearranged for mainland Europe i.e. Kiev, Minsk, Prague, the only location I feel that they will play it in that neck of the woods is Baku, which will be quite a pain to get to. Hopefully the FAI annouce something early next week.

[Closed Account 2]

There are / were night and day trains to Baku from Tbilisi, takes 10-12 hours from what I recall.

[Greenforever]

The game will either be in Tiblisi as arranged or postponed.

If Georgia were to agree to a neutral venue, they would be forced to play all their home games at a neutral venue, so the logical thing is to postpone it.

A final descision will not be made until the Tues or weds of the week of the game, as they will leave it to the very last minute.

[SuperDub]

The game will either be in Tiblisi as arranged or postponed.

If Georgia were to agree to a neutral venue, they would be forced to play all their home games at a neutral venue, so the logical thing is to postpone it.

A final descision will not be made until the Tues or weds of the week of the game, as they will leave it to the very last minute.

I agree Fifa are not very assertive at making decisions and they will leave it until the vey last minute before they make one. Just watching the reports coming out of Georgia and the situation does not look promising

[mypost]

A final descision will not be made until the Tues or weds of the week of the game, as they will leave it to the very last minute.

For security reasons, they will have to make a decision on it well before then, at least a couple of weeks, i.e. 2 weeks beforehand.

Reminds me of Liverpool v Haifa in the CLQ's a few years ago. The away leg was due to be held in the middle of the Israel-Lebanon conflict. It had to be moved to Kiev. By the time the game was played, the conflict had ended, but the situation was considered too unstable to risk playing the away game in Israel. Same here.

[Greenforever]

For security reasons, they will have to make a decision on it well before then, at least a couple of weeks, i.e. 2 weeks beforehand.

Reminds me of Liverpool v Haifa in the CLQ's a few years ago. The away leg was due to be held in the middle of the Israel-Lebanon conflict. It had to be moved to Kiev. By the time the game was played, the conflict had ended, but the situation was considered too unstable to risk playing the away game in Israel. Same here.

THey wont as the group stages only have to be completed by Oct 09 and there are a number of free dates to rearrange the game.

FIFA / UEFA will be more concious of the fall out if they move it to aneutral venue, as the Italians and Bulgarians would then refuse to travel to Tiblisi claiming Ireland got an unfair advantage.

Like the Yugoslavia game in 99 no decision will be made until the last minute.

[mypost]

FIFA / UEFA will be more concious of the fall out if they move it to aneutral venue, as the Italians and Bulgarians would then refuse to travel to Tiblisi claiming Ireland got an unfair advantage.

I think most people will understand the reasons why it would be moved. It's too early to postpone the game now, but if it's still going on in 2 weeks time and the situation has escalated, they will have to make a decision. In which they will probably postpone it until next year.

[Clipper]

From a purely footballing point of view, we could do without a Georgia team hyped up on some form of nationalistic fevour. So putting it back might be the best option, except for those booked to travel of course..

[musicinmouth]

I don't think it's too early to make a decision now. Today the Russians started bombing around Tbilisi airport, so I can't imagine any scenario in which it would be deemed safe to play a game in Tbilisi within a month of that... no way... They should move the game... I am sure that they will want to play out of their skins for Georgia... but some of their players do play in Georgia, so can hardly be fully prepared... I don't know if the military draft effects them... I suppose the Georgian FA will ask for the game to be postponed... but who's to say that things will be any better in time for their next home game in October..

[Closed Account 2]

The Ukraine are also playing at home on the 6th, so that is another neutral venue out of the running, the only venue nearby that could hold the match is Baku

[Kingdom]

The Ukraine are also playing at home on the 6th, so that is another neutral venue out of the running, the only venue nearby that could hold the match is Baku

Could the game not be played in Donetsk?
I'd imagine somewhere like Trabzon would be just as suitable for the Georgians? In terms of location I mean.

[Newryrep]

I would imagine if the airlines are still flying into Tblisi the match will still go ahead, and that will determine whether anybody gets compensation. Air Baltic could only refund the leg to Tblisi in theory leaving several hundred 'stranded' in Riga as they are point to pont carrier. The scheduled carriers will likelly offer a full refund. It also doesnt help that those fllying from Riga are flying over Russian airspace which in theory could be closed. Wish I had of went via Turkey now.

However as has been stated before whatever happens it is a downer for the trip at best, I dont think we can turn the place into a 78 hour party when our hosts are/were/still are in a 'war footing' suffering casualties/refugees etc.

There are things a sight more important than a football match.

[zenokelly]

Ya it looks like this is off unless they seek a neutral venue which is mentioned here. I would put my money on it being postponed though.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/0811/georgia.html