Sabotage claims after game abandoned

THE Georgian interior ministry is investigating claims of sabotage after Saturday’s EURO 2004 qualifying match between Georgia and Russia was abandoned due to a floodlight failure.

After the group 10 match in Tblisi was abandoned at half-time with no goals, Georgian interior minister Koba Narchemashvili said the investigation into the power failure would consider the possibility of sabotage.

Security measures were tightened for today’s rugby international between Russia and Georgia in the Lokomotivi stadium, with 3,500 policemen present.

Valeri Draganov, vice-president of the Football Union of Russia (RFS), said: “I would like to believe this was just a floodlight failure, despite many coincidences. If that was a planned act, then the whole situation has another meaning, and the consequences will be heavy. We will analyse all possible reasons for this failure.”

The floodlights first stopped five minutes before half-time but came back on and the first half was completed. However, no sooner had the players left the pitch then there was a second power failure, which was later blamed on faulty electrical circuits.

Dates in November and next March have been mooted as possibilities for the replayed fixture but Russian minds at least now turn to the home meeting with Albania on Wednesday.

“Of course, the events in Tblisi have affected us, but after a day of rest today we will be ready for Albania,” coach Valeri Gazzaev said.

In the 45 minutes contested, Russia started the stronger, stroking the ball around in midfield in search of an opening but the hosts, spurred on by their vociferous support, eventually took charge.

Shota Arveladze’s passthrough-ball for Levan Kobiashvili was dangerously close to paying off while Aleksandr Iashvili should have done better when he went clean through but wasted the opportunity.

In the group’s other game, Albania held Switzerland to a 1-1 draw in Tirana thanks to a powerful free-kick from midfielder Edvin Murati.

Despite a bright beginning Albania found themselves a goal down in the 37th minute, Murat Yakin heading the away side ahead from Alex Frei’s cross.

Albania were initially restricted by Italian coach Giuseppe Dossena’s tactical formation, as lone striker Igli Tare of Brescia Calcio was often isolated

up front and, when the midfield players did push forward in support, it left too many open spaces for the

Swiss attackers to exploit. However, once Albania became accustomed to their formation they carved out several good opportunities to equalise, with Tare particularly culpable, heading Ervin Fakaj’s cross wide early in the second half.

However, the home side continued to press forward, and Dossena’s introduction of substitutes Altin Haxhi and Florian Myrtaj gave the attack more impetus.

Alban Bushi almost scored with a powerful free-kick in 75th minute, but four minutes later he set the stadium alight when he found the net from about 25 metres with another effort.

Switzerland almost snatched victory in injury time when first Stéphane Chapuisat and then substitute Leonard Thurre each had only Albanian keeper Foto Strakosha to beat, but both were denied. Albania next travel to Russia on Wednesday, while Switzerland visit Dublin the same night.