Georgians investigate floodlight failure

The Georgian interior ministry is investigating claims of sabotage after yesterday's EURO 2004™ qualifying match between Georgia and Russia was abandoned due to a floodlight failure.

Abandoned at half-time
After the Group 10 match in Tblisi was abandoned at half-time with the scores goallkess, Georgian interior minister Koba Narchemashvili said the investigation into the power failure would consider the possibility of sabotage. Security measures were tightened for today's rugby international between Russia and Georgia in the city's National stadium, with some 3,500 police officers present.

Russian reaction
Valeri Draganov, vice-president of the Football Union of Russia (RFS), said: "I would like to believe this was just a floodlight failure, despite many coincidences. If that was a planned act, then the whole situation has another meaning, and the consequences will be heavy. We will analyse all possible reasons for this failure."

Power failure
The abandonment could cost the Georgian authorities as much as €300,000. The floodlights first stopped five minutes before half-time but came back on and the first half was completed. However, no sooner had the players left the pitch then there was a second power failure, which was later blamed on faulty electrical circuits.

Albania next for Russia
Dates in November and next March have been mooted as possibilities for the replayed fixture but Russian minds at least now turn to the home meeting with Albania on Wednesday. "Of course, the events in Tbilisi have affected us, but after a day of rest on Monday we will be ready for Albania," coach Valeri Gazzaev said.