Georgia game to take place in Mainz

The Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying match with Georgia on September 6 is to be played in Mainz, Germany, FIFA have confirmed.

FIFA have ordered the match to be played in Germany because of security fears in Georgia.

A statement from FIFA read: “After carefully assessing the situation, the Bureau of the Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup today decided that the preliminary competition match between Georgia and the Republic of Ireland will take place at a neutral venue due to the current unrest in Georgia.

“Although the Georgian Football Federation (GFF) had hoped to host this match at home in Tbilisi, it will now be played in Mainz, Germany on the originally-scheduled date of September 6, 2008 with Georgia acting as the host association.

“Last week, FIFA had asked the GFF to name an alternative venue for this match in order to be prepared should the situation in Georgia still require a neutral venue.”