The FAI have turned down an invitation from the Italian football Association to play a friendly match in Italy on September the 5th.Neither nation has any commitments onthat date and the Italians approached the FAI about the possibilities of a fixture.
The FAI turned down the offer on the grounds that the date is too close to the vital World Cup group 2 qualifier between the Republic of Ireland and Holland which takes place at Lansdowne Road on Saturday, September 1st.
Italy are leading their group byfour points and with only two matches left to play, against Lithuania and Hungary, look certain to secure a place in the 2002 World Cup finals.
The FAI are hoping this invitation may lead to a game taking place between the two nations on a more suitable date in the future.