GENEVA, Aug 11: FIFA could move Georgia’s upcoming World Cup qualifier against Ireland because of the escalating crisis in the country.

World football’s governing body said on Monday it has yet to decide if the country is safe enough for the home match scheduled for Sept. 6.

Meanwhile, a UEFA Cup tie scheduled for Thursday in the capital Tbilisi between WIT Georgia and Austria Vienna will be moved to neighboring Armenia or Azerbaijan.

The Wales Football Association said it will find out later Monday if Georgia wants to go ahead with a friendly match between the two countries in Swansea on Aug. 20.

Russian jets launched new raids on Georgian territory Monday, continuing the Russian-Georgian conflict that blew up after a Georgian offensive to regain control of the other breakaway province of South Ossetia.

With European qualifying for the 2010 World Cup starting next month, Georgia is scheduled to open its Group 8 program against Ireland in Tbilisi.

“FIFA is closely monitoring the situation in Georgia,” the Zurich-based body said in a statement. “However, at this time, it is too early to speculate on any possibilities.”

Georgia is due to play at Italy in Udine on Sept. 10 before hosting Cyprus and Bulgaria in October.—AP