FAI move on match likely

The FAI may seek to have the Republic of Ireland's 1-0 defeat by Yugoslavia at Belgrade last November rendered void if other countries in Group Eight of the European Championship are not required to play in the city.

In the fall out from the current Kosovo crisis, the feasibility of playing international games in Belgrade and, indeed, Yugoslavia's continued participation in the competition, has come under increasing scrutiny.

One of the scenarios now opening up is that in the event of conflict continuing in the region, the Yugoslavs' home games will be rearranged for neutral venues.

If that happens, the FAI is likely to move to have the November fixture deleted and the away leg of the tie rescheduled for a neutral venue.

"If UEFA see fit to take the remainder of Yugoslavia's home games outside the country, we will have been seriously disadvantaged," said an FAI spokesman. "The playing pitch should be level for all and that clearly, would not be the case if Croatia, Macedonia and Malta don't have to go to Belgrade.

"At this point, it's just a possibility for nobody knows when and how the present conflict in the Balkans will be resolved. But obviously, we are going to be monitoring the situation as it unfolds in the coming months."

Yugoslavia's next game in the competition is at Lansdowne Road on June 5th but the real test of Belgrade as an acceptable venue for competitive international games will come four days later when Malta are due to visit the city. If that fixture fails to materialise on schedule, then, indeed, there will be genuine cause to question the Yugoslavs' continued participation in the championship.

Meanwhile, Mick McCarthy was in reflective mood yesterday as the last remaining members of the squad he had assembled for tomorrow's aborted game in Macedonia, returned to England to rejoin their clubs.

"At times, we tend to get things out of perspective and when you read about the bombs and missiles raining on Kosovo and part of Serbia, the postponement of a football game is of no real consequence," he said.

"But yes, I am of course disappointed that we weren't in a position to go and play the match. Despite all the distractions, the morale of the squad was as high as it's ever been when we trained on Tuesday and I've no doubt that we'll carry it forward to our next match".

Meanwhile, a Scottish Football Association spokesman, Andy Mitchell, confirmed last night that Scotland's Group Nine game against Bosnia was also called off because the charter flight carrying the Bosnian team is unable to depart Sarajevo Airport. "The game has now been called-off according to both UEFA and the Bosnians. Circumstances are completely outside and beyond our control."