Georgia game at risk?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by carloz

This may sound a little silly but could FIFA be contemplating suspending the match to another date because of Italian influence. Italians are obviously big dogs in Europe, what with being world champions and all. Im sure that if they questioned FIFA about playing this match in Germany, FIFA would quite likely give into what the Italians want

---

you would be spot on if this is the only home game Georgia would play at a neutral venue. Then the Italians would tell FIFA what to do. However my understanding of the rules is that all georgia's home games would then be played in Germany. In that case the Italians would be happy for us to play there.

I think FIFA will postpone the game as predicted earlier in the thread. They will threaten the georgians but will not take action. Then come October if Tbilisi is OK then all games will be played there. If not then they will really nominate a neitral venue.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Green Tribe

my head is fit to burst. thankfully have not booked anything to germany yet.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RonnieB

Yup, I would say there is a lot of pressure being applied by the Italians. I could have a nice weekend sitting in the stadium by myself :D

---

sadly I have booked flights to Frankfurt :mad:( on the strength of hearing an announcement on Talksport and reading the same "confirmation" on Teletext)

See you in the stadium RonnieB.....I'll buy you a frankfurter!

I do not think I have booked so many flights in my life for a match and I still do not know which ones I will be on. Anywhere in Germany will be fine by me and sure Tiblisi would still be fine but please do not cancel it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

I do not think I have booked so many flights in my life for a match and I still do not know which ones I will be on. Anywhere in Germany will be fine by me and sure Tiblisi would still be fine but please do not cancel it.

---

Well if they do ( Christ I hope not:eek:) I'll buy you a pint in Frankfurt,Munich,Stuttgart,Karlsruhe,Tbilisi,Vienn a,Azerbaijan,Armenia,Trabzon and Istanbul!!

p.s It'll be your round when we arrive in Craven Cottage!;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Newryrep

If all Georgian home games have to be played at a neutral venue why the pressure from the Italiens ?

---

We do not know if there is pressure from the Italians, it is just a thought that they would have at least some concern :)

It is a question but not a certainty that all Georgian home games would have to be played be played at a neutral venue in the event of this game being played in Germany.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by geysir

We do not know if there is pressure from the Italians, it is just a thought that they would have at least some concern :)

It is a question but not a certainty that all Georgian home games would have to be played be played at a neutral venue in the event of this game being played in Germany.

---

Any precendent set ?

Karlsruhe R.I.P.

Evening Herald to officiate at funeral, along with Reuters and half-p*ssed Georgian Fa official who gave them the quote from late night bar in Zurich

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soc...680055333.html

FIFA were ready to sanction Karlsruhe, but the unexpected curve ball of the Germans saying "thanks, but no thanks" has forced them to delay announcement , till alternative venue is confirmed.

i think this is absolute disgrace by FIFA sitting on the fence for so long , the theory on Italy is also very interesting.
I am getting very nervous now that the game will be postponed. i hope not. but why the delay in the announcment!!!!!!!!!!

thisis titally unfair on the irish supporter. why are we not hearing more form the FAI????:confused:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Newryrep

Any precendent set ?

---

NI had to play away from the 6 co.

For a while it looked that the instability might well be temporary so Georgia would have had a case for playing the rest of their games at home even if they had to play us at a neutral venue in the first game. But now it looks like not a lot will change there politically before their two October home games.

Not directly related but Georgia were punished with just one closed door game against Russia after the transgressions were made in our game.
So we had to grit our teeth while Russia attempted to benefit from that.

Israel played a whole campaign in Cyprus a few years back.

My view is the Georgians are looking for a postponement. they risk being thrown out and are gambling FIFA don't have the balls to do it. I think they are right. I hope they are wrong.

Irish Times site now saying ,FIFA have said any decision may not be made till Friday.Giving any City or stadium such short notice is really pushing it:mad:

FFS this is an absolute shambles. COuld FIFA be anymore useless if they tried???? How hard is it to just announce where they want the match to be and let that be that.

Again lads, do any of who honestly think football is the priority in Georgia? Tough on fans looking for info, but surely a bif of leeway can be given

Since Karlsruhe is RIP as stated above why don't they just pop over to Kaiserslautern.

It's a better stadium and suites me just fine with my e150 flight from Kerry to Hahn on the morning of the game that I booked on the back of that crazy lunchtime report AHHHHHH

Vienna was supposed to be another option, although unlikely. They could look at Klagenfurt, if they really want to be near Italy.

I really do think that a Southern German venue will be announce tomorrow afternoon. I am not basing this on something i have heard just guessing on what i think is likely. Just very stressful at the moment as to where it will be. Really glad we didn;t book any german flights :eek:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mypost

Vienna was supposed to be another option, although unlikely. They could look at Klagenfurt, if they really want to be near Italy.

---

As part of a doubleheader with Austria v France. :confused:

Unfortunately lots of misinformation here. It was mentioned though as you say.

Totally agree that FIFA are at fault....after all, they constantly state that only they can make a final decision.

That being said,the FAI are not blameless for yesterday's "German debacle".

When the "confirmed Karlsrhue" announcement appeared in our national press ( and Uk news and radio) why did the FAI not state clearly that NO FINAL DECISION HAD BEEN MADE BY FIFA,AND THEREFORE THEIR ADVICE TO FANS IS TO WAIT BEFORE MAKING ALTERNATIVE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS!!:mad:

Very simple and the least we should have expected from them!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gspain

As part of a doubleheader with Austria v France. :confused:

Unfortunately lots of misinformation here. It was mentioned though as you say.

---

guess I am being slightly selfish .. but Vienna would be very nice... but as you rightly say, a non-runner. Rapid and Austria's ground only have a 15,000 capacity so not possible there either.

One of the Euro stadiums could be possible e.g. Salzburg or Klagenfurt .. but wasn't it narrowed down to either Graz or Krakow now that Karlsruhe is a non-runner?

how difficult is it to find a modern 20,000 seater stadium in central Europe - seemingly - quite difficult

Also the quality of sports journalism regarding this matter leaves alot to be desired - FIFA quite rightly are mostly to blame but the misinformation put out by 'news' organisations likely convinced alot to book.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sligo Hornet

Totally agree that FIFA are at fault....after all, they constantly state that only they can make a final decision.

That being said,the FAI are not blameless for yesterday's "German debacle".

When the "confirmed Karlsrhue" announcement appeared in our national press ( and Uk news and radio) why did the FAI not state clearly that NO FINAL DECISION HAD BEEN MADE BY FIFA,AND THEREFORE THEIR ADVICE TO FANS IS TO WAIT BEFORE MAKING ALTERNATIVE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS!!:mad:

Very simple and the least we should have expected from them!

---

They did! I heard it myself on the radio on the way home from work.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

They did! I heard it myself on the radio on the way home from work.

---

I think Sligo Hornet was making the point that it only went out on the website at 17.00, from 14.00 practically all the media outlets were reporting that it was definetly Karlsruhe. BBC Radio Ulster were stating that it was confirmed as Karlsruhe as late as 18.20.

this is an absolute joke at the moment. now i wont be going to the game but its 28th august and still no def venue. surely this should be sorted out by now so arragements can be made. FIFA should sort it out and put there foot down.

Mainz (very near frankfurt) is the latest speculation on the radio.

Any odds on tomorrow's venue?

Friday - Graz
Saturday - Krakow
Sunday - Malmo
Monday - Malaga
Tuesday - Porto
Wednesday - Tashkent
Thursday - Adelaide
Friday Sept 5th 5pm FIFA postpone the game and send a strongly worded letter to the Georgians not to do this again.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Newryrep

I think Sligo Hornet was making the point that it only went out on the website at 17.00, from 14.00 practically all the media outlets were reporting that it was definetly Karlsruhe. BBC Radio Ulster were stating that it was confirmed as Karlsruhe as late as 18.20.

---

Exactly my point Newry.......the statement at 17.00 was far too late as many had acted upon the earlier news (from normally reliable sources) that the change had been confirmed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Sligo Hornet

Exactly my point Newry.......the statement at 17.00 was far too late as many had acted upon the earlier news (from normally reliable sources) that the change had been confirmed.

---

Agree totally. I phoned them at approx 4.40 pointing out the debacle which was going on, and suggested that they needed to put out some clarification. Presumably lots of others did the same.

Eventually, they put the statement up on the website - but how many people had booked flights and hotels in Karlsruhe by then?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gspain

Mainz (very near frankfurt) is the latest speculation on the radio.

Any odds on tomorrow's venue?

Friday - Graz
Saturday - Krakow
Sunday - Malmo
Monday - Malaga
Tuesday - Porto
Wednesday - Tashkent
Thursday - Adelaide
Friday Sept 5th 5pm FIFA postpone the game and send a strongly worded letter to the Georgians not to do this again.

---

sounds the most logical plan i've heard :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BradyIsMyHero

Agree totally. I phoned them at approx 4.40 pointing out the debacle which was going on, and suggested that they needed to put out some clarification. Presumably lots of others did the same.

Eventually, they put the statement up on the website - but how many people had booked flights and hotels in Karlsruhe by then?

---

So its your fault Brady........why the hell didn't you 'phone them earlier?:p

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Newryrep

how difficult is it to find a modern 20,000 seater stadium in central Europe - seemingly - quite difficult

---

its not just a stadium. Its a police force willing to stage it at at short notice. It has to be only a certain distance from an international airport (etc) Don't forget that with a full round of fixtures, almost half the usual international grounds will be in use

postponement unless tiblisi looks like the optoin now id say.

It's a farcical situation, no denying it, but i don't think the FAI are in anyway to blame. I called them direct first thing yesterday morning and, to be fair to the wee lass on the phone, her line was 'when it's confirmed it'll be on the website, keep checking the website'.

I think the blatant profiteering by O'Leary is rather tasteless though...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dodge

its not just a stadium. Its a police force willing to stage it at at short notice. It has to be only a certain distance from an international airport (etc) Don't forget that with a full round of fixtures, almost half the usual international grounds will be in use

---

Dodge I appreciate it is not just the stadium but we dont need a particullary big stadium, 10K max will travel, its not as if we are English so they have to cancel riot police leave. Somewhere in Austria/Switzerland/germany should fit the bill

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gspain

Mainz (very near frankfurt) is the latest speculation on the radio.

---

how reliable are those reports ?, it would suit my flight from kerry to hahn just perfect

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Newryrep

how difficult is it to find a modern 20,000 seater stadium in central Europe - seemingly - quite difficult

---

Slavia Prague's new stadium would be perfect

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Newryrep

Dodge I appreciate it is not just the stadium but we dont need a particullary big stadium, 10K max will travel, its not as if we are English so they have to cancel riot police leave. Somewhere in Austria/Switzerland/germany should fit the bill

---

I know that, but remember that local councils, and police authorites aren't known for their welcoming arms to football fans, particularly at short notice (and if city ahs a large russian population, forget about it...)

Well said Duggie as I really feel for the boys who plan to travel to errrr where ever it is where we are playing , are we playing that's another question .

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Dodge

I know that, but remember that local councils, and police authorites aren't known for their welcoming arms to football fans, particularly at short notice (and if city ahs a large russian population, forget about it...)

---

Who wouldnt welcome 10K free spending tourists into their town/city who cause virtually no trouble, I get your point about the russians but what big city doesnt have plenty of russians (apart from Tbilisi:). They are all loaded now

Just on Radio 1 now, an officla fromthe Georgian FA, its to be held in Meinz (not sure of spelling) in Germany

Mainz

Good location, beer on the Rhine.

Crappy stadium 10k seats

Seat allocation to be discussed