Cypriots query World Cup fixture - March 7,
2001
The Cypriot embassy has asked the Irish Government whether the World Cup Group 2 match between the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus in Larnaca on March 24 should go ahead in the light of the foot-and-mouth disease scare.
Cypriot health officials expressed their concerns after last week's rugby international between Ireland and Wales was postponed.
But the Irish Government explained that the rugby match was cancelled not because of the fear of Irish fans carrying the dreaded virus abroad, but for fear that Irish fans would bring the contagion back with them on their return from infected Wales.
And the official line of the Cypriot Embassy here is that there is no need to cancel the match or ban fans from travelling as long as Ireland remains free of the disease.
Cyprus, FMD-free since 1964, has already enforced strict hygiene at airports in the light of the crisis. Passengers arriving from Britain must use disinfected mats before disembarking from aircraft.