Insurance crux may force change of venue for Georgia match

FEARS that Irish players are not covered by insurance in a war situation prompted yesterday’s move by the FAI to request their Group 8 World Cup qualifier against Georgia in Tbilisi next month be moved to a neutral venue.

The Department of Foreign Affairs are currently advising against non essential travel to Georgia and have been in regular contact with the FAI since before the conflict began.

But with the situation escalating in the region, the FAI voiced its concerns yesterday morning before sending faxes to FIFA, UEFA and the Georgian FA asking for a change of venue.