The FAI faces a range of sanctions, including expulsion from the European Championship, if they flout UEFA's directive to fulfil their fixture against Yugoslavia in Belgrade next Saturday.

That was one of the possibilities to emerge on a day of conflicting soundbites in the on-going uncertainty about security in the Yugoslav capital.

Shortly after the Department of Foreign Affairs had issued a statement advising Irish citizens against travelling to Belgrade, because of increasing concerns about the political and security situation in Yugoslavia, UEFA insisted that the fixture is still in place.

"So far, we have all the guarantees we need about the security in Belgrade and we are proceeding on the basis that the game will be played," said a UEFA spokesman.

"If the position becomes unstable, we will, of course, reconsider, but as of this time there is no evidence that such is the case.

"The security of visiting teams and match officials is of the utmost importance to us and they will never be put at risk by UEFA.

"But we are in daily contact with different embassies in Belgrade who advise us that the game can be played as arranged. It seems to us that their advice is more relevant than that of people living outside Yugoslavia."

On the question of sanctions, he said: "We are a sporting not a political organisation, our primary objective is to promote football. And if the Republic of Ireland refuse to filfil the fixture against the wishes of UEFA, the matter is likely be referred to the Disciplinary Commission.

"Refusal to travel, unless the security situation justifies that decision, could be followed by sanctions."

UEFA's insistence that security in Belgrade is not, as yet, a cause for precipitative action was supported, predictably, by the Yugoslav FA. In a statement which appeared to contradict earlier ones by the FAI, they said they had no discussions on the matter with Dublin.

"The only contact they made with us was about rooming arrangements for their party," said a spokesman. "They have not conveyed any concerns to us about playing in Belgrade - neither has UEFA.

"This is the first call to us indicating problems about the fixture. Arrangements for the game are now almost complete and we are expecting an attendance of almost 80,000 in the Red Star Stadium. We believe there are no difficulties about Ireland playing in Belgrade - there is no reason to change their plans."

According to Bernard O'Byrne, the FAI's chief executive, they acquainted UEFA of their concerns at the start of the week and at one point suggested that the match arrangements be reversed, with Yugoslavia playing in Dublin next Saturday and Ireland visiting Belgrade next June.

In a reference to the intervention of the Department, he said: "There were clear signs earlier in the week that this was going to happen and we informed UEFA of the possibility. They refused to act, however, and it is frustrating that it has now reached a point where, just eight days before the game, we find ourselves in this situation.

"As I understand it, the statements from UEFA have been emanating from the championship committee. We now need a time frame to enable us to talk with some of the top people in the organisation and inform them of the advice we have got.

"We understand the desire to preserve normality, but at the end of the day we would be loath to go against the advice of Government. The safety of players and supporters is paramount - we can talk about football matters at a later date."

Earlier, one tour operator, Michael Stein Travel, cancelled a charter flight due to take 300 supporters, many of them from the corporate sector, for a one night stay in Belgrade.

"In a situation which could drag on for days to come, we had to make a decision, and in the interests of our clients we were of the opinion that we couldn't afford to take a chance on their safety," said a spokesman.

That contrasted with the situation at Ray Treacy Travel, the FAI's official carriers. They, too, are due to transport 300 fans and at this point there are no plans and no requests to cancel.

Mick McCarthy was at home in London awaiting instructions from the FAI, but up to a late hour last night he had not been advised to amend his arrangements to assemble his players in Dublin tomorrow evening.

Once the fixture has been confirmed by UEFA, English club managers are obliged to release players to make the trip and Alex Ferguson probably spoke for the majority when he said: "I'll leave the decision on the welfare of my players in the hands of the FAI. I'm sure they will take sensible precautions for the players and review the situation as it demands."

In the past, UEFA have not been slow to act firmly in inflamed political situations and in 1992 they removed Yugoslavia from the finals of the European Championship in Sweden because of the turmoil in the country.

The FAI's dilemma is that if they spurn Government advice, they risk alienating themselves from the general public. There is a precedent of sorts, stretching back to 1980 when the Olympic Council of Ireland, in defiance of the Government of the day, decided that they would not support the American boycott of the Olympic Games and sent a team to Moscow,

The current crisis is markedly different in as much as it could put the lives of people at risk. And in that, there is, indeed, cause for grave concern.