EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP/Georgia v Switzerland: Alexandre Chivadze has quit as Georgia's coach on the eve of their home qualifier against Switzerland, Georgian soccer chief Merab Zhordania said in Tbilisi yesterday.
"Wednesday's game will be his last with the national team because Chivadze said he no longer wants the job," Zhordania told local reporters.
"He was very disappointed after losing to Ireland and wanted to quit right away, but we have persuaded him to stay for just one more game against the Swiss," Zhordania added.
"So, we will have to find a caretaker coach for our next European qualifier against Russia on April 30th, and hopefully we will have a permanent coach in place after that."
Chivadze did not talk to the media after Saturday's defeat by Ireland. It left Georgia, who also lost 4-1 to Switzerland in their opener last September, bottom of the group with no points from two games.
Chivadze only reluctantly agreed to coach the national team in June 2001 because no one else wanted the job. The 48-year-old former Soviet captain also coached Georgia from 1993 to 1996.
UEFA's Control and Disciplinary Body will meet on April 15th to discuss the knife-throwing incident during Saturday's match.
The body will discuss several reported incidents during the game, including when Kevin Kilbane was apparently struck by a penknife thrown from the crowd.
UEFA said on Sunday that the referee's report referred in particular to the penknife incident.
A glass bottle also shattered against a goal post during the game and ball bearings were reportedly hurled towards Irish players.
European football's governing body also said any impact on the Group 10 match between Georgia and Russia will only be considered after the hearing.
Zhordania, however, said he was hoping the UEFA sanctions will not be too severe.
"We are hoping it will be just a fine and not the stadium ban," he said.
"We also hope the match against Switzerland will go without any problems."
Georgia, already without AC Milan defender Kakha Kaladze due to a groin injury, are hoping Rangers striker Shota Arveladze will be back after missing the Ireland game with an ankle injury.
But they definitely will be without 35-year-old Temur Ketsbaia after the former Newcastle United midfielder walked out on the national team following Saturday's home defeat.
Switzerland lead the group with seven points after an unbeaten start to qualifying, including a 4-1 home victory over Georgia in September.
Switzerland are without suspended goalkeeper Jorg Stiel and either Fabrice Borer or Pascal Zuberbuehler will deputise.
Liverpool centre-back Stephane Henchoz is also absent because of a hamstring injury, with Basel's Marco Zwissig stepping in.
