Sport and politics should not mix, yet, inevitably, Georgia was on the mind of the Ireland squad yesterday as they prepared for their friendly against Norway at the Ullevaal Stadium this evening. It could be no other way.

Giovanni Trapattoni, the Ireland manager, had hoped to restrict discussions to his third match in charge of the national team. Robbie Keane, the captain, was expecting to be asked about his embryonic partnership with Fernando Torres at Liverpool.

Instead, the news that Ireland’s opening 2010 World Cup qualifying match in Georgia on September 6 had been switched to a neutral venue cut a swath through the pre-match briefing. A few hours earlier, Fifa, the sport’s world governing body, had decreed that, because of conflict in the region, it would be unsafe to stage the game in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia.

Initially, Trapattoni appeared to be caught unaware of Fifa’s ruling. When informed of it, he said: “I’m sad about the situation but it would be difficult for us to play in Georgia. It is important to respect the \ calendar and it is important for the teams to play on September 6.”

Keane concurred, pointing to security worries for anyone planning to visit Tbilisi next month. “The safety of the players, the fans and the media have got to be taken into consideration,” he said. “But it’s important to play the game, no matter where.”

Irish supporters usually travel in numbers and up to 800 had expressed an interest in watching the group eight fixture. Keane’s concern for the media, a rarity, raised nervous laughs from those of a delicate disposition among the press pack. They were not keen on heading to the war-torn Eastern European state, either.

Fifa has given the Georgian FA until August 26 to nominate a new venue. Ukraine, whose political sympathies lie with Georgia, may agree to the match going ahead in Kiev, its capital, and Turkey and Italy have been mooted as possible alternatives.

Norway, though, are the immediate challenge. “How is it we say in Italy?” Trapattoni said. “We say that we start on the first course and then we think about eating the other courses. One thing at a time. This match is an important test for our players. We have to believe that we are a strong team, like the stars of Italy, Spain or England.”

Ireland have failed to qualify for the finals of a leading tournament since 2002 and Keane emphasised the value of an improved campaign. “We’ve just not been good enough before,” he said. “We’re in a tough qualifying group, but we have to take responsibility as individuals and as a team.”

Eventually, Keane did get around to talking about his new double act at Anfield with Torres, one of the Spain stars, after the former’s £20.3 million move from Tottenham Hotspur during the close season. “We’ve only had two matches together,” he said. “Like anything, it will take a bit of time to understand each other. I’ve settled in well at Liverpool and I’m enjoying it.”

In another deviation from the Ullevaal script, Keane was a shade taken aback when he was told that Henning Berg, the former Norway and Manchester United defender, had rated him as the best player in English football. “Was he drunk?” Keane replied. “Well, tell him thank you very much. It is a very nice compliment.”

Norway (possible; 4-3-2-1): R Jarstein — M M Skjonsberg, B Hangeland, T Reginiussen, J A Riise — M Andresen, F Stromstad, F Winsnes — T Helstad, M G Pedersen — J Carew.

Ireland (4-4-2): S Given — S Finnan, J O’Shea, R Dunne, K Kilbane — D Duff, S Reid or L Miller, G Whelan, A McGeady — K Doyle, R Keane.

Referee: M Whitby (Wales).