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First leg of Georgian team’s match axed over security fears

UEFA CUP

UEFA, European soccer’s governing body, canceled the first leg of a soccer match today between Georgian club WIT and Austria Vienna because of fears for the players’ safety.

The UEFA Cup qualifying match, which was supposed to be contested over two legs, will now be decided in a single game in Vienna on Aug. 28. The winner qualifies for the competition’s first round.

“[WIT is] not in a position to organize a safe and secure venue in Georgia, nor to play at an alternative venue,” UEFA said in a statement on Tuesday.

The decision ends two days of international soccer diplomacy to find a way for WIT to fulfill its obligations amid hostilities between Georgia and Russia. The club, based in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi, had hoped to maintain one match close by so that it wouldn’t completely forfeit its home advantage.

But it failed to find agreement with soccer authorities to stage the match in Armenia or Azerbaijan, its preferred options.

The club opted early on Tuesday to play in Turkey, in the Black Sea port city of Rize — 97km from the Georgia border.

But that plan fell through within hours, UEFA said, adding it accepted the request but was “subsequently informed by the Georgian Football Federation — also speaking on behalf of WIT — that the squad could not travel due to security concerns.”

WIT’s Mikheil Meskhi Stadium in the capital city was on Monday judged as too dangerous.

UEFA did not say how it would deal with a draw, which is normally decided by the away-goal tiebreaker.

“UEFA will contact the clubs and national associations concerned in due time to communicate the rules applicable to this single match,” it said.
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