Georgia game at risk?

[youngirish]

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.

It's been established Georgia initiated this conflict by attacking a de-facto independent state that Georgia has never really established any control over and where the majority of the population do not want to be part of Georgia. They violated an agreed ceasefire, went in heavy handed and apparently have been responsible for hundreds of civilians deaths (including Russian soldiers). It was obvious Russia was going to respond. I'm actually surprised they have shown a bit of restraint and stopped when they did. Surely they could have taken Tbilisi within a few days if they wanted to. If they wanted to annex the whole of Georgia and take over their oil pipeline they'd have more or less achieved it by now. Instead they chose to suspend their military operations.

Aren't the US and the UK generally all for giving people the right to self goverment if they want it? Oh I forgot. Only when it's in their interest (as with Kosovo).

All the sensationalist, western media reports speculating who the Russians will attack next and how they are seeking to reassert control over the region is just pure, unfounded, nonsense and demonstrates exactly what's wrong with the media today. No impartiality. The responsibility for what happened rests mainly with the Georgian governement. They initially were the ones who resorted to heavy handed, military action.

Watching fox news often reminds me of watching the Nazi propaganda newsreels from world war 2. Sky news aren't much better and unfortunately bbc news seem to be following suit.

[geysir]

This is the football forum.
Everybody can chat about the political stuff in more detail here
Russia at War with Georgia

[irishfan86]

Watching fox news often reminds me of watching the Nazi propaganda newsreels from world war 2. Sky news aren't much better

Sky and Fox are owned by the same people, so that would make sense.

[SuperDub]

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.

I believe Czech Airlines have suspended their flights up until the 19th of August. We are suppose to be travelling with them on thursday 4th Sept and back Sunday the 7th.

This link is for flight Schedules to and from Tbilisi

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

[Green Tribe]

air baltic seem to be only airline flying at the moment (maybe georgia airways too??)
They resumed their service today, in the previous days they had been diverting their flights to Yerevan.
They told me that they will continue to fly to Tbilisi as of today and if flights need to be canx again in future, they will offer refund/re-route.

[SuperDub]

I got this response from Czech Airlines.

Dear Sir

thank you for your email.

At the moment we cannot tell you if the flights will be cancelled. It will be depend on the situation in Georgia. But if the flights will be cancelled you will be entitled to a full refund.

We wish you a nice day.

Yours sincerely,
Jaroslav Federhans
Czech Airlines Call Centre

[NeilMcD]

Russian troops are withdrawing from Gori, To be honest I always thought it was a kip of a town in wexford.

[Sligo Hornet]

Russian troops are withdrawing from Gori, To be honest I always thought it was a kip of a town in wexford.

Aren't they All?

[Supreme feet]

Aren't they All?

Ouch! My stomping ground, Kilmore Quay, is okay! Indeed, Gorey looks like it belongs in the depths of Eastern Europe alright. Albeit with uglier women.

[Green Tribe]

still hoping this game will go ahead in Tbilisi.

[Sligo Hornet]

Not much chance of game going ahead now that the Americans have sent their "Best Diplomat"

[Newryrep]

I predict this game will go ahead in Tbilisi as planned

[Sligo Hornet]

Good to see George Dubbya calming the waters

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7563452.stm

[NeilMcD]

Yeah for feck sake, does he not know we have a game to go to in a few weeks.

[stiofain]

Maybe these fellas can help again?

[tetsujin1979]

Whelan unfazed by trip to Georgia, according to the Herald: http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/ir...a-1454751.html

[Closed Account 2]

Anyone remember the last match 5 years ago ? The Georgian's were partial to lobbing the occasional object onto the pitch...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2...1/match.sport3

[geysir]

This one was good

'but the FAI will not be making a formal complaint to Uefa'.

because

'there is also a feeling that the FAI would be happy if Georgia were not punished too harshly'

If another penknife lands near Kilbane he should have the good sense to put his foot on it instead of being the teachers pet

[zenokelly]

Not much inroads made on this yet!

From Monday's Examiner

Meanwhile, as the management and squad prepared to fly out to Norway this morning, the FAI were still awaiting a decision from FIFA on whether Ireland’s opening World Cup qualifier against Georgia can go ahead in Tiblisi, as scheduled, on September 6.

[gspain]

FIFA were never going to make a quick decision on this. Fingers crossed that the russians withdraw today as promised. It should go ahead then however I can't see them leaving.