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."