Football: UEFA keep the Gers sweating.
Byline: IAIN CAMPBELLDICK ADVOCAAT'S UEFA Cup preparations have been thrown into further disarray after Europe's governing body delayed its decision on whether Rangers' game with FC Makhachkala should take place, until this morning.
The Ibrox club, the Foreign Office and the SFA have all voiced concerns over the game going ahead in crisis-torn Dagestan.
The region is one of the most dangerous in the world where the kidnapping of Westerners is commonplace and a spate of recent bomb attacks have added to the anxiety about the match.
Ban
Rangers have also struggled to gain adequate insurance for their squad and may yet refuse to play the tie and face a possible UEFA ban.
UEFA have now decided to delay any decision on the game until they have received assurances on security in the region.
However, the governing body maintain that Thursday's game still stands as a fixture until further notice is given.
A UEFA statement said: "UEFA have conducted further investigations and consultations throughout today in response to the request of Rangers FC to relocate the scheduled match.
"We have also received additional representations on this matter.
"Following these developments, UEFA have decided to request some more information from the parties concerned in order to complete their assessment of the situation.
"UEFA's decision on the request of Rangers FC will be communicated to the clubs concerned as soon as possible and a public announcement will be made on Tuesday morning.
"In the meantime, arrangements for Thursday's match will proceed in accordance with the draw and the regulations of the competition."
Chechen rebels are believed to have been behind recent attacks on Russian soldiers.
Consequently, the Foreign Office have advised that no Westerner should travel to the area.
"We have said all along that we hoped UEFA would change the venue," a Foreign Office spokesman said earlier.
CAPTION(S):
WORRIED: Dick Advocaat is not keen on taking his players to war- torn Dagestan
 Printer friendly
 Cite/link
 Email
 Feedback
| |
| Title Annotation: | Sport |
|---|---|
| Publication: | The Mirror (London, England) |
| Date: | Sep 11, 2001 |
| Words: | 323 |
| Previous Article: | Football: REAL MARCH TO ROME WITHOUT THEIR GENERAL. |
| Next Article: | GAA: Hard work needed for title pursuit. |