The FAI will await a decision by UEFA on how best to punish the Georgian authorities for the behaviour of their supporters during the game against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday in the Lokomotiv stadium in Tbilisi, where a steady stream of missiles, including a knife and a glass bottle, were hurled at the visiting players.

While Kevin Kilbane was struck by the blunt end of a penknife, Lee Carsley said he had had to dodge a large soft drinks bottle and Gary Doherty narrowly missed being hit by a vodka bottle during his celebrations of his late winner.

Both the top of the shattered bottle and the knife were among the objects taken away by UEFA officials and their report is certain to result in action being taken against the Georgians.

"We have already examined the referees' report, which does refer in particular to an incident involving a pen-knife," a UEFA spokesman, Mike Lee, said yesterday.

"UEFA will refer this matter to our disciplinary body for further action to be considered."

European football's governing body could settle for fining the Georgian FA, although in view of the seriousness of the offence it is possible that it would go further, either ordering the association to play future games at another venue or behind closed doors.

The concern within the FAI will be that, while Wednesday's game here against Switzerland would be unaffected, UEFA may impose sanctions ahead of Georgia's rescheduled game against Russia at the end of April. The prospect of the Russians, of all teams, getting to play here without any local supporters present is clearly not something that would please Irish officials.

FAI president Milo Corcoran said yesterday he was happy to leave the matter in the hands of UEFA.

"There was an independent observer present who will file a report with UEFA," he told the FAI website. "UEFA have procedures in place and we will let them run their course."

Despite the seriousness of what happened, it may be that the Irish end up having, in effect, to argue Georgia's corner and hope that the sanctions that may be imposed are merely financial.

There were contrasting reactions from the players, with Carsley shrugging the trouble off. But Kilbane, not surprisingly, displayed more concern over the knife.

"I felt something hit my arm," he said, "and when I looked down there was the knife lying on the ground. It was a little bit frightening to think that things could get to the stage where they're throwing things like that at you."

Match report: Page 9

Tom Humphries' opinion: Page 9

Manager's and players' reaction: Pages 8 and 9