UEFA officials yesterday decided to play for time before committing themselves to a venue for the Republic of Ireland's deferred European Championship match against Yugoslavia.
Stating that it was their "clear intent" to stage the game on November 18th, they said they would await the outcome of talks before deciding if it was safe for the game to take place in Belgrade.
If they rule otherwise they will convey their choice of a neutral venue for the game in good time to enable alternative transport and accommodation arrangements to be made by both national federations.
Bernard O'Byrne, the FAI's chief executive, said it was imperative that the FAI be informed of any such decision at the earliest possible time. "The logistics involved in playing an away game are very complex and we would see the cut-off point for the announcement of a new venue as not less than a fortnight before the game," he said.
National League United hold the second of their forums for supporters of the game here this afternoon (2.0) at the Royal Dublin Hotel in O'Connell Street with another impressive list of speakers lined up to address the issue of "Irish Football: Towards Professionalism". Ollie Byrne, Pat Dolan and Peter Hanrahan are among those who will attend.
