Why not.
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Why not.
Because i'm a coward!
It won't go ahead if there is a risk of the game being bombed or anything like that so you are grand.
Well, thats true. We'll see!Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilMcD
From Fifa website:
Doesn't look like a decision is coming too soon:(Quote:
FIFA has confirmed it is monitoring the situation in Georgia, who are scheduled to host Republic of Ireland in a 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ qualifier on 6 September in Tbilisi.
"FIFA is closely monitoring the situation in Georgia. We are in regular contact with both member associations concerned for that match. However, at this time it is too early to speculate on any possibilities," read a FIFA statement.
Group 8 of the UEFA Zone preliminaries to South Africa 2010 also comprises Italy, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Montenegro. Georgia are due to play the Italians in Udine four days after opening up their campaign against Republic of Ireland.
As much as i hate to admit it this match isnt happening.
And you base that on what?:confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by Ireland4ever
fingers crossed the whole situation calms right downs and the game goes ahead. Potentially you could end up losing money on the flights to georgia and then paying to get to Prague to catch connecting flights to Montenegro. If the game was moved to Turkey (border region) would it allow enough time to get back to tbilisi airport for a four am flight out of there on Sunday morning?
I think if the game is moved to Turkey it would mean that it would not be safe to get to Tiblisi
Good news, Georgia seem like they are going to sign the peace deal brokered by Sarkozy with Russia and Georgia, which Russia signed earlier.
Just watching it on Newsnight on BBC2
Looks like its sorted out there now , as for the match we should hit them plenty of long balls as there are useless in the air and not very good at defending corners either.
Not quite yet!:eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by londonred
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7558399.stm
Not looking good Russian tanks still around Gori. Peace deal might be a figleaf to keep the Americans and EU happy. No fighting though which is a plus however looks like they are trying to goad the Georgians into an attack.
I can't see FIFa making a fast decision. Then it will most likely be too late to move the game.
The UEFA Cup tie that was moved to Turkey has been postponed and will not be played as a one off tie in Vienna. Real bummer for any Austrian fans that booked flights.
Any of them coming from Vienna won't really be affected as Austrian Airlines flights are thus far cancelled. Not much action in the airport, though Air Baltic is still flying, which won't be ideal if the match is postponed as anyone flying with them will most likely not get any refund as they will probably be still flying.Quote:
Originally Posted by gspain
http://www.tbilisiairport.com/0.php?id=3
THey should move the game to riga in my view. ha ha !!!
I was thinking Munich myself...;)Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilMcD
I will have to put some black tape over Moscow as I don't think anyone will be ofended by a Mule.
Lunchtime news does not look very promising. It's ok having a diplomatic agreement but far more difficult in getting the blockheads in uniforms to abide by it.
The request for a neutral venue seems to be down to insurance, fron the Indo:
But the Georgian FA seem to be quite confident the match can go ahead, from the Examiner:Quote:
FAI chief executive John Delaney spoke with Minister For Foreign Affairs Micheal Martin yesterday with both agreeing next month's World Cup qualifier with war-torn Georgia should be moved from Tbilisi.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has said Irish citizens should not travel to the troubled country, and the FAI has already requested FIFA move the September 6 game to a neutral venue.
Already FAI officials have confirmed that insuring Ireland's Premier League stars for the trip would be "almost impossible". In order to foster good relations with their clubs, the FAI insures its players while they are on international duty.
However, Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni yesterday affirmed that the game must go ahead on September 6 in a country close to Georgia -- with Armenia and Azerbaijan mooted as possible suggestions -- in order to avoid fixture chaos.
"Ultimately, it's FIFA's decision. The best we can do at the moment is to say we're looking for a timely decision", said a FAI spokesperson.
"It's correct that the insurance for the players would not be available for a war zone, that's the preliminary advice that we have been given.
"The Department of Foreign Affairs have moved their position to say not to travel there, full stop."
Trapattoni echoed the sentiments, advocating a switch to a safe country near Georgia, citing the precedent where Israel played all of their Euro 2004 qualifiers in Cyprus due to the turbulent domestic situation in their homeland at the time.
"I think it's the best decision to play in the same area, in the past FIFA have decided that you play games in other countries," he said.
"Keeping the fixture on the calendar is very important for the integrity of the rest of the calendar. If FIFA decide that maybe we can play, then we cannot say no, but they must guarantee us our safety.
"It's a very difficult moment for Georgia. For us, with a charter flight, it's possible to change the city. There are many, many countries nearby."
Quote:
Meanwhile, the Georgian Football Federation is insisting that the game can go ahead.
Speaking from the capital Tbilisi yesterday, spokesman Alexander Tsnobiladze said: “We know what they are saying in Ireland but, at this moment, the game will go ahead in Tbilisi. There are no problems in Tbilisi.”
Anthough you might get unwanted attention from drug barons and airport customs thinking you are advertising your services ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Moscow Mule
Good point Ash............poor Ol' Moscow....those rubber gloves !!:eek:Quote:
Originally Posted by Ash
Ceasefire.....my a*se!...obviously the russians not being able to get a signal on their mobiles!:eek:
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Wor...Outside%2BGori
I mean it is tough on fans who originally booked Tbilisi then rebooked for Turkey and then had the game called off. OK they'll get a refund on Tbilisi but not on the Turkish flights.Quote:
Originally Posted by zenokelly
I can't see this being resolved in time for the game to go ahead as planned.
Sky are reporting Russian tanks are on the road to Tbilisi. This is a serious escalation. It is now possible there may not be a Georgia in 2 weeks time not to mind playing a football match agsinst them. Hard to guess what the Russians intend but I imagine they want to install a puppet regime there now answerable to Putin.
Well mainly on the fact that the Georgians are at war/ceasefire with Russia. I hope it goes ahead, but when you hear about the issue with getting insurance for players its looking very unlikely....Also it may not be beneficial in the long term for the game to go ahead, i would suspect that not too many managers will want/allow (Fake injuries) their aseets travelling to a war zone.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sligo Hornet
If a cease fire treaty has been signed and all hostilities stop (from the present time onwards) can Georgia still be regarded as a war zone for insurance purposes?
If all the commercial airlines (who lets face it arent going to risk their passengers/planes )are still flying to Tbilisi I dont see how the DFA/FAI can deem Tbilisi as unsafe and argue it to FIFA.
If it really is an insurance issue (what about airline insurances ?) and I doubt it is then let FIFA underwrite it.
The FAI should of put out a bland statement about 'monitoring the situation' in touch will the Georgian FA' but behind the scenes advise FIFA , Georgian FA that a final decision has to be made on 23rd Aug, subject to conditions on the ground being and continue to be satisfactory.
It now looks like we dont want to go
1. because it currently unsafe - but if it becomes safe
2. we cant get insurance- if that sorted
3. the clubs wont be happy to release their players
It smacks a little of lets take advantage of somebody elses misfortune.
This game is not going ahead. I thought last night it may do but the fact that the Russians are heading to Tiblisi, spells danger and does not look good.
Looks like the tanks have turned back, they heard about the inflatable hammers, the Guinness Farts and the beer bellys and that was just me.
what happens to the fans if the game is played elsewhere but flights have not been cancelled by the airlines e.g. situation completely clears up by time of match?
Excellent article by the bbc as usual , there are Oil and Gas pipelines running through Georgia which are undercutting/bypassing the Russians at the moment so they were probably itching for a chance to get control of them.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7557049.stm
Check the terms of your travel insurance.
I didn't know you had a hammer Neil?Quote:
Originally Posted by NeilMcD
Yeah got one, there when I heard about those pesky Russians. I think it could be the Republican songs that could finally do it for us though. That has one many of a war.
Tell us how all the commercial airlines are still flying to Tbilisi.Quote:
Originally Posted by Newryrep
And the FAI are doing exactly the right thing, I'd prefare to know 2-3 weeks before the match what the story is i.e.to arrange flights to a neutral venue, than find out 3 days before the match. I don't see how the FAI are taking advantage of Georgia considering there is a pretty full-scale war in the country, and you expect an international football match to go ahead in the capital where Russian tanks are heading at this moment:eek:.
They have turned round...........apparently problem with the Tom Tom!:DQuote:
Originally Posted by zenokelly
Told you the threat of Guinness Farts would do the trick.
haha, "if possible make a u-turn" :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Sligo Hornet
I never claimed all comercial airlines are currently flying, the mostlly western ones eg BA and British Midland have cancelled flights until 18th Aug nearly 3 weeks before the game - I expect they will re-evaluate closer to the time if they restart or not. Note Air Baltic has supposely restarted. If commercial airlines are flying how can it be deemed it unsafe ?Quote:
Originally Posted by zenokelly
Everybody wants to know what the hell is going to happen preferably as early as possible but the best solution is that the game goes ahead as planned in a peacefull Tbilisi, and for that to happen they have to be given every chanceQuote:
Originally Posted by zenokelly
No i dont, but neither do I see the need to cancel a football match nearly 4 weeks away when the situation on the ground is improving.They should of been a bit more diplomatic, nobody expects a football match to go ahead in a war zone but we seemed a bit quick off the mark.Quote:
Originally Posted by zenokelly
I also doubt the insurance companys will pay out because the game is cancelled because of an 'act of war'.
Hopefully the situation will continue to improve as I have no intention of risking mine nor Mrs Newryreps neck.
Quote:
Originally Posted by londonred
The other issue is Georgia's attempt to join NATO and their moves towards the west. Ukraine tried and failed too and now they are cancelling Russia's right to use their ports in the Black Sea. I assume they are concerned they will be next.
I know VHI have stated that your insurance cover is invalid due to an "Act of war". I suspect they will all try and wriggle out of paying.
I fear the game won't go ahead now. Anybody know if Czech Airlines are still flying to/from Tbilisi? Best bet to get our money back is if the flight is cancelled.
Just been phoned by Expedia to say that my flight from Istanbul to Tbilisi has been cancelled and they are offering me a full refund.