Thursday, August 28, 2008

The Georgian Football Federation yesterday asked FIFA for permission to play its World Cup qualifier against Ireland in Karlsruhe, Germany.

The request to move the Sept. 6 match from its scheduled venue of Tbilisi is a result of security concerns in the Georgian capital after the country's territorial dispute with Russia.

FIFA officials on the 2010 World Cup organizing committee are expected to rule on Georgia's request within 24 hours.

Georgia's game against Ireland will open its program in Group 8 of European qualifying for the 2010 finals in South Africa. It then travels to play world champion Italy in Udine on Sept. 10.

Georgia is scheduled to play two more home matches in Tbilisi in October, against Cyprus and Bulgaria. FIFA will decide if the city is safe to stage international games.

-- From News Services