The Republic of Ireland soccer squad have touched down safely and on time in Moscow, allaying fears that delays due to heavy smog could lead to the postponement of this weekend¿s Euro 2004 qualifier against Russia.
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St Basil's Cathedral in Red Square shrouded in smog from forest fires. Photo: Reuters
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Air traffic in the Russian capital had been severely disrupted this morning, with incoming flights suspended at the city's three main airports because of the smoke from out-of-control forest and peat bog fires in the Moscow region.
Reports emanating from Moscow earlier today said the Irish flight was likely to be delayed considerably - which in turn would lead to the match having to be postponed.
But the smoke that had shrouded Moscow and its airports in a thick blanket of heavy smog this morning dispersed slowly during the day and the Irish squad landed on schedule.
Earlier, the executive director of the Russian Football Union dismissed media reports that delaying the match would have to be considered if conditions prevented the team from arriving on time.
"No, absolutely not, we don't even have any provisions for a possible postponement," Mr Alexander Tukmanov said this afternoon. "The match will go on schedule, I can guarantee that".
The smog from fires outside the capital thickened considerably on this morning, particularly in eastern Moscow, where the Lokomotiv stadium is located. The pitch was barely visible from the upper stands.
"We're monitoring the situation on a daily basis," said Tukmanov. "Yes, the smog was really bad this morning, but in the afternoon the situation has improved, so right now I wouldn't worry about the cancellation of the match on Saturday".
The fires, many of which are smouldering in peat bogs, are considered almost impossible to put out in the present drought conditions, which are the worst for a summer period in the Russian capital in over 100 years.
The weather forecasters say rain which could help extinguish the fires was not expected until the middle of the month.