September 1st refix expected

The FAI will discover today what sanctions, if any, UEFA propose to take following the controversial postponement of the European Championship game against Yugoslavia earlier this month. Judgement is due to be delivered in the afternoon on the Government's action in withholding visas from the Yugoslav party after the matter has been discussed at two separate meetings in Geneva. It figures on the agenda for the morning session of the Euro 2000 Organising Committee but more crucially it will be the principal matter for discussion at a sitting of the Control and Disciplinary Committee later in the day. The Irish case, at the second session, will be presented by Pat Quigley, the FAI president, and Dr Tony O'Neill, who sits on the organising committee for the championship.

O'Neill, one of the ablest and most respected members of the European football community, will be arguing that since the decision to abort the June 5th fixture was taken by the Government, it would be grossly unfair to lay the burden of blame on the FAI. That's a view which is shared by several European federations but whether it translates into clemency for Mick McCarthy's team during today's talks, is far from certain. Ultimately, UEFA could expel Ireland from the competition or award the points by default to Yugoslavia. That threat has now receded significantly with the political advances in the Balkans, encouraging the hope that the fixture will be rescheduled for Dublin, albeit with the imposition of a fine. A measure of the determination to normalise sporting life in the region as soon as possible is the decision to permit Yugoslav teams to take part in next season's European club competitions, after earlier indications that they would be debarred.

Yet, few in Geneva yesterday were prepared to vindicate that optimism, preferring instead to await the findings of the inquiry into a case without precedent in the history of the European championship. Initially, it was thought that the matter would be deferred until UEFA's Executive Committee meeting on July 2nd, a move which, it was felt, would enhance the prospects of a favourable decision for the Irish. The Disciplinary Committee, effectively the court for European football, with wide-ranging powers, is seen as more likely to make a detached judgement on the emotive issues which led to the game being postponed, just 48 hours before the scheduled kick-off.

It is comprised in the main of western Europeans, among them David Bowen, general secretary of the Irish Football Association, and to that extent, the political landscape is thought to be favourable for the FAI. September Ist is being suggested as the new date for the game if it is re-arranged and officials here claim that the Yugoslavs have already indicated their agreement to play on that date, if cleared to do so by UEFA. With away fixtures against Croatia and Malta already scheduled for September 4th and 8th respectively, it would mean three games in the space of eight days for the Irish team. But that is a risk with which they are only too willing to run, if the decision goes in their favour today.

Wolves yesterday acknowledged that Robbie Keane, whom they value at £7 million, may soon be leaving the club. Arsenal, Middlesbrough, Leeds and Newcastle are among those who have expressed an interest in the talented Dubliner, who is still in mid contract with the club. "Sooner or later, all players move on and in Robbie's case it could be a case of sooner," said Wolves' chief executive, John Richards. "We don't wish to lose the player but if the right offer came in, it would be difficult to resist." Keane, who celebrates his 19th birthday next month, was recently reported as having started talks with Middlesbrough manager Bryan Robson, a story which he later denied.