FAI officials yesterday played down suggestions that the second leg of the Republic of Ireland's European Championship play-off at Bursa may have to be postponed because of renewed earth tremors in the region.
Following the earthquake which left over 17,000 dead in western Turkey in August, an aftershock yesterday which measured 5.7 on the Richter scale killed one person and injured more than 150. It was felt in Istanbul 95 miles away and immediately caused fears that the game in Bursa, which is almost equidistant from the epicentre of the latest tremor, would have to be deferred.
But after consulting with Ray Treacy, their official travel agent who was in Bursa at the time of the incident, Bernard O'Byrne, the FAI's chief executive, said that at this point there was nothing to suggest the game would be postponed.
"I have just spoken with Ray, who was with Turkish FA officials at the time of the tremor, and he assures us the effects in Bursa were minimal," he said.
"I will be in contact with the Department for Foreign Affairs tomorrow, but just now there is nothing to suggest that Wednesday's game will not go ahead as arranged."
Stephen Carr is in line to start tomorrow's big game at Lansdowne Road following the disclosure yesterday that Ian Harte's back injury is more serious than was first suspected.
The hoodoo, largely responsible for the startling statistic that the Leeds fullback hasn't started a competitive international game since the World Cup play-off against Belgium in Brussels two years ago, struck again during the defeat by Wimbledon last Sunday.
A strain, originally described as more irritating than painful, has deteriorated during the week and the player is to return to Elland Road today for treatment.
It means that Denis Irwin, now happily recovered from a knee problem, will switch to left back with Carr coming in on the opposite flank.
It is still unclear whether Irish TV audiences will get to see live pictures of the match in Bursa. Reports yesterday stated that the Turkish media organisation Star TV had raised the asking price for coverage to $2 million, and would raise it again to $3 million if that wasn't accepted today.
Earlier this week the asking price was $1 million, and an RTE spokesman described the Turkish actions as "pure blackmail". RTE had initially offered to pay in the region of £130,000 for the rights.
It is also understood that the FAI have negotiated a total package worth around $1 million to provide both Turkish television and the BBC with pictures from the home leg at Lansdowne Road.
