UEFA action imminent after Irish players pelted with missiles

THE disgraceful scenes at Ireland's European Championship tie against Georgia in Tbilisi led to the UEFA observer departing the Lokomotiv Stadium with an array of missiles that had been hurled in the direction of Ireland's players including an open pen-knife, ball-bearings and the neck of a glass vodka bottle.

The intimidation towards the Irish did not end there. Local press representatives disrupted Brian Kerr's post-match press conference, interrupting the manager in mid-sentence with loud complaints and then walking out just because the Georgian manager had sent an assistant.

The FAI officers present were appalled by the fans' behaviour, but will postpone any complaint until after the UEFA observer has delivered his report. Said Kevin Fahy, acting general manager: "If UEFA react as we expect them to, then there will be no need for us to add our protest. We've already made our complaints known."

It is likely that UEFA will punish the Georgia FA by imposing a heavy fine and by closing the stadium to fans. Ironically, this could work against Ireland, as Russia may get to play in an empty stadium on April 30. It is unlikely that UEFA will act before Wednesday's game against Switzerland, however.

Kevin Kilbane, who was hit on the arm by the penknife, said: "I didn't know what hit me until I looked down and saw the knife on the ground. One of their players tried to hide it quickly, and Mark Kinsella got involved in a pushing match when he took the knife from him."

Damien Duff was struck on the head by an empty plastic bottle when he prepared to take a corner kick late in the game.

He said: "It was always going to be difficult for us to come here and win. The pitch was mingin' and the crowd was hostile, but we pulled through and we got the three points. That was all that mattered."

Gary Doherty was showered with objects when he scored the winning goal, and the vodka bottle thrown in his direction shattered against the goal, leaving glass scattered behind the goal-line. He said: "It was a first for me to be pelted with missiles, and it was a worry to hear somebody had thrown a knife. That can hurt you so yes, it was a concern for us."

Assistant manager Chris Hughton said : "The players coped with it very well and concentrated on the performance. You have to applaud the players that our focus was on the game."

Brian Kerr was not so understated. He said: "Recently we were fined because there was a pitch invasion at Turner's Cross after a youths' international. The pitch was invaded by a bunch of seven-year-olds who were enjoying the occasion, and they were as big a threat to anybody's safety as my grandmother, who has been dead for some time."