FIFA OFFICIALS confirmed yesterday that they are monitoring events in the Balkans against a backdrop of escalating anarchy in Albania. However, they have no immediate plans to postpone the Republic of Ireland's World Cup game in neighbouring Macedonia on April 2nd.
"At this point, the only decision we've made is to move Albania's home games to Spain while the current problems last," said a spokesman. "But we are, of course, taking note of developments in that region. The situation in the area may yet get worse, but at this stage we've heard nothing from Macedonia to suggest that the game is at risk."
Mick McCarthy, who has just returned from Skopje where he watched Australia beat the host country 1-0 on Wednesday, said that he had not seen or heard anything to suggest that the game may be moved out of the Macedonian capital. "I had dinner with Terry Venables and the manager of the Macedonian team, Dkoko Madyski, before the match. The situation in Skopje is perfectly normal," he said.
McCarthy, who will announce his squad next Wednesday, could receive some encouragement today after Derby County manager Jim Smith outlines his plans for the game against Everton at Goodison. The signs are that he will include Paul McGrath in central defence. His only appearance in recent weeks was as a substitute in the league game against Middlesborough.
The Irish manager has made it clear that McGrath needs to be playing first team football for his club to back his claims for a place in the national team.
Ray Houghton, missing from Crystal Palace's team for the last nine weeks, is still clinging to an outside hope of returning for their crucial promotion game against Norwich City in Division One. However, the signs are not overly encouraging and the experienced midfielder, who hasn't appeared in Ireland's team since the opening World Cup qualifying game in Liechtenstein in August, may have to shelve his hopes of returning to international football until the game against Romania at Bucharest on April 30th.
Keith O'Neill, still unfit for Norwich, also seems likely to miss out on the game in Macedonia. McCarthy is also pessimistic about the prospects of another of his emerging frontline players, David Connolly.
McCarthy also lost three players - Mark Kennedy, Stephen Carr and Neale Fenn - for Monday's B International game against the National League at Tolka Park. Kennedy is required as cover by Liverpool for their European assignment against SK Brann next Thursday, Carr plays for Tottenham against Leicester City the previous evening and his clubmate Fenn is recovering from an ankle injury. Tottenham's Kevin Maher and Peter Gain have been called in to bolster the squad.
