Georgia dismayed by FIFA decision to switch Ireland qualifier

THE Georgian Football Federation have described FIFA’s decision to move next month’s World Cup qualifying game against Ireland out of the country as “a shock for all the people of Georgia.”

But while the world governing body have confirmed that Georgia can appeal the decision, Alexander Tsonbiladze, a spokesman for the country’s football association, suggested that such a move was unlikely on the grounds that FIFA would probably not change their mind.

Last night Georgia FA president, Nodar Aklialkatsi added his voice to the Georgian protests, saying: “We are hugely disappointed that the match will be played in a neutral venue. It was a crucial qualifier because it will be our first and we worked very hard at the fixtures meeting. But we have a bigger situation at home. But it won’t matter where we play, the players will use this as a bigger motivation against Ireland to get a result.”

However, Blackburn Rovers defender Zurab Khizanishvili fears the decision has handed the tie to Ireland.

Khizanishvili said: “Of course we just want the war to be over and life to go back to normal because we worry so much. The venue decision will be made in the next week but I wish we could have played in Georgia because it will be easier for Ireland to play somewhere else.”

No decision has yet been made by the Georgians on where the game will be played but FIFA have set a deadline of next Tuesday for an alternative venue to be chosen. Turkey seems the likeliest venue, with other options being Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Yesterday’s FIFA decision was announced in a statement which read: “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.”

Said Ireland captain Robbie Keane: “I think it’s important that we play the game, no matter where that is. I think the safety of the players, the fans and even the media is important. I know it’s not in Georgia now but FIFA have made the decision and we have to respect that.”

Asked if he felt that the loss of a home game for the Georgians would be to Ireland’s advantage, Keane replied: “That’s just the way it’s worked out. It’s a situation that’s happened there that is out of our hands. No matter where the game was, we would have gone and played it, because it’s important to get three points.”

Meanwhile, Georgia have already faced problems ahead of tonight’s friendly against Wales in Swansea, following a 16-hour trip to Baku, Azerbaijan, to obtain visas. They were also obliged forced to purchase new kit because of baggage restrictions.

Defender Khizanishvili said: “We’re missing six or seven players from the starting line-up and we haven’t even got some of our kit over here or any shirts with numbers on.”

As a result, Georgia will play tonight’s warm-up game at the Liberty Stadium in shirts donated by a south Wales sportswear firm, Picton’s.