Georgia game at risk?

**NeilMcD** · 12/08/2008, 4:26 PM

Why not.

**stiofain** · 12/08/2008, 4:36 PM

Because i'm a coward!

**NeilMcD** · 12/08/2008, 4:38 PM

It won't go ahead if there is a risk of the game being bombed or anything like that so you are grand.

**stiofain** · 12/08/2008, 4:51 PM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

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!

**zenokelly** · 12/08/2008, 5:52 PM

From Fifa website:

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.

Doesn't look like a decision is coming too soon

**Ireland4ever** · 12/08/2008, 7:53 PM

As much as i hate to admit it this match isnt happening.

**Sligo Hornet** · 12/08/2008, 8:15 PM

Originally Posted by Ireland4ever

As much as i hate to admit it this match isnt happening.

And you base that on what?

**Saint Tom** · 12/08/2008, 8:50 PM

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?

**NeilMcD** · 12/08/2008, 9:13 PM

I think if the game is moved to Turkey it would mean that it would not be safe to get to Tiblisi

**NeilMcD** · 12/08/2008, 9:54 PM

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

**dublinred** · 13/08/2008, 9:47 AM

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.

**Sligo Hornet** · 13/08/2008, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by londonred

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!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7558399.stm

**gspain** · 13/08/2008, 11:13 AM

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.

**zenokelly** · 13/08/2008, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by gspain

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.

http://www.tbilisiairport.com/0.php?id=3

**NeilMcD** · 13/08/2008, 11:36 AM

THey should move the game to riga in my view. ha ha !!!

**Sligo Hornet** · 13/08/2008, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

THey should move the game to riga in my view. ha ha !!!

I was thinking Munich myself...

**Moscow Mule** · 13/08/2008, 11:46 AM

I will have to put some black tape over Moscow as I don't think anyone will be ofended by a Mule.

**Moscow Mule** · 13/08/2008, 11:53 AM

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.

**zenokelly** · 13/08/2008, 12:00 PM

The request for a neutral venue seems to be down to insurance, fron the Indo:

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."

But the Georgian FA seem to be quite confident the match can go ahead, from the Examiner:

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.”