Georgia game at risk?

[NeilMcD]

I think the main issue will be now with refugees etc in Tiblisi. Some many people have loast their home and have headed for Tiblisi that this could put a huge strain on the city.

[George2605]

Hi guys, if I may add a Georgian perspective to all of this...we expect a final decision about the game this week. It seems that FIFA want to give us every possible chance to be able to stage the games at home, and we are very grateful to them for this, even though I understand your fans' frustration about it.

Believe me, we are even more frustrated about all of this. At long last, we have all the facilities necessary to make it an enjoyable visit for football fans from all over the world - nothing like 5 years ago, when we played you last. There's excellent infrastructure, brand-new airport and hotels, lovely city center with a good range of pubs (not quite Temple Bar, but more than enough to accomodate all of you who are planning to go). And last but not least, a new European-class stadium and basketball arena (our basketball teams are also in the same qualifying group). You can imagine how frustrating it is for us to have to deal with this situation now.

Should the game go ahead, you will hopefully still be able to enjoy the trip. The general situation and atmosphere in the city will probably be uneasy, but people will do their best to make it as good an experience for you guys as possible...I just hope our players don't do the same.

[Sligo Hornet]

Hi guys, if I may add a Georgian perspective to all of this...we expect a final decision about the game this week. It seems that FIFA want to give us every possible chance to be able to stage the games at home, and we are very grateful to them for this, even though I understand your fans' frustration about it.

Believe me, we are even more frustrated about all of this. At long last, we have all the facilities necessary to make it an enjoyable visit for football fans from all over the world - nothing like 5 years ago, when we played you last. There's excellent infrastructure, brand-new airport and hotels, lovely city center with a good range of pubs (not quite Temple Bar, but more than enough to accomodate all of you who are planning to go). And last but not least, a new European-class stadium and basketball arena (our basketball teams are also in the same qualifying group). You can imagine how frustrating it is for us to have to deal with this situation now.

Should the game go ahead, you will hopefully still be able to enjoy the trip. The general situation and atmosphere in the city will probably be uneasy, but people will do their best to make it as good an experience for you guys as possible...I just hope our players don't do the same.

Thanks for the "Home" angle on the situation.I for one really hope the game goes ahead in Tbilisi as much for the Georgian people as well as ourselves who have booked and paid for expensive flights etc.

Hopefully the Russian exodus,currently moving out at the speed of a tortoise,will speed up and calm will prevail whilst the long political negotiations will then have to begin.

[Newryrep]

Hi guys, if I may add a Georgian perspective to all of this...we expect a final decision about the game this week. It seems that FIFA want to give us every possible chance to be able to stage the games at home, and we are very grateful to them for this, even though I understand your fans' frustration about it.

Should the game go ahead, you will hopefully still be able to enjoy the trip. The general situation and atmosphere in the city will probably be uneasy, but people will do their best to make it as good an experience for you guys as possible...I just hope our players don't do the same.

George are your FA optimistic or pessimistic about the FIFA decision especially in light of the relative calm of the last few days ?.

Also if the game does go ahead the travel advice currently issued by our Dept for Foreign Affairs will have to change as it would currently invalidate most travel insurance - Georgian governement/Georgian FA should have word with our government

Note: Anybody northern based - check your holiday insurance as it is likely to refer to the British Foreign Office advice you/we may have to take out additonal insurance

[George2605]

George are your FA optimistic or pessimistic about the FIFA decision especially in light of the relative calm of the last few days ?.

Also if the game does go ahead the travel advice currently issued by our Dept for Foreign Affairs will have to change as it would currently invalidate most travel insurance - Georgian governement/Georgian FA should have word with our government

Note: Anybody northern based - check your holiday insurance as it is likely to refer to the British Foreign Office advice you/we may have to take out additonal insurance

There is no doubt about our FA's optimism - just a day after the ceasefire, they started to sell 'season tickets' for all 5 home qualifiers. Frankly, I doubt that the sales have been good so far.

Today will see crucial developments on the ground. An emergency NATO summit is being held right now, and the slow speed of Russian withdrawal is almost certainly connected to this. If the party that will most likely demand a tough response against Russia (US, UK, and the vast majority of Eastern European members) has its way, then expect more dirty tricks from Kremlin, and refusal to honour the agreements (which they haven't really done anyway). The truce has been uneasy at the very best, so far.

I would think that the decision regarding the game will be taken towards the end of the week, when things will become clearer.

[Wheels]

Reports that FIFA have decided the game should be at a neutral venue...

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/organis...+neutral+venue

FIFA today decided that the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ preliminary competition match between Georgia and the Republic of Ireland, scheduled for 6 September 2008, will take place at a neutral venue due to recent events in Georgia, which have affected security in the entire country.


FIFA reached this decision after closely monitoring the situation in Georgia and taking note that UEFA also decided to ask Georgian clubs involved in UEFA competitions to play their matches in neutral countries.


The Georgian Football Federation has until 26 August 2008 to nominate a neutral venue to host the qualifying match against the Republic of Ireland, which will take place on the scheduled date of 6 September 2008. The Georgian Football Federation will serve as the host association for this match.

[The Bit O'Red]

Sky Sports just confirmed it as well.

[Sligo Hornet]

Any clues as to where?.....if we have to wait 'til the 26th it will be a nightmare to try and change!

[Reddladd]

That's a complete balls..................all arrangements thrown up in the air! Hopefully it won't be too far from Tbilisi..................

[Reality Bites]

Awful for Fans who booked Flights and accomodation but wonderful News for Trap and Team, Tbilisi could have been a real Banana Skin, now a neutral venue will most definitely give us an advantage!

[BradyIsMyHero]

Fifa says its up to Georgia to make the re-arrangements. Likely to be someplace v difficult to get to

Pain in the butt!

[Sligo Hornet]

Fifa says its up to Georgia to make the re-arrangements. Likely to be someplace v difficult to get to

Pain in the butt!

Moscow?

[BradyIsMyHero]

Giants Stadium wouldn't be bad. We have a good record there

[AidoM]

Fifa says its up to Georgia to make the re-arrangements. Likely to be someplace v difficult to get to

Pain in the butt!

Could be Turkey or Greece. As we're going through Prague it might be gettable to from there.

[AidoM]

From FAI website

Georgia v Republic of Ireland - Notice to Fans

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Date: Tuesday, 19 August 2008 Section: International

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FIFA today confirmed that it has asked the Georgian FA to nominate a neutral venue for the Group 8 World Cup qualifier match against the Republic of Ireland on September 6. The Football Association of Ireland will keep Irish fans updated in relation to the new venue on www.fai.ie. FIFA has indicated to the FAI that it expects to confirm the new venue next week.

[paulie_walnuts]

I'll guess Cyprus.

[pineapple stu]

Montenegro.

[Sligo Hornet]

What about Georgia USA..........makes some kind of warped sense!

[Supreme feet]

Azerbaijan is a possibility, as their national team are playing away that weekend. Or somewhere in Eastern Turkey, or Cyprus.

As a matter of interest, does anyone know how many Western-based players are in Georgia's squad? I could wiki it, but I'm far too lazy.

[The Bit O'Red]

Fifa says its up to Georgia to make the re-arrangements. Likely to be someplace v difficult to get to

Pain in the butt!

Have you got a link where it says that it's up to Georgia where the game will be replayed? I would have thought that FIFA would have some sort of input into it.