Football: McCarthy: This is much worse than having to play in Istanbul; MICK BLASTS MATCH SWITCH.(Sport)

MICK McCarthy last night reacted with dismay to Turkey's decision to move next month's Euro 2000 play-off to the remote town of Bursa.

The switch is seen as part of a dirty tricks campaign by the Turks to ensure that they qualify for next summer's finals.

It means the Irish side face a nightmare 13-hour plane, boat and bus journey across territory made virtually impassable by the recent earthquake.

And it will also bring McCarthy's side face to face with the most hostile set of supporters in world football.

"If Chelsea thought they were hard done by in having to play in Istanbul last Wednesday, it is nothing compared to this" said McCarthy.

"But the host country have the right to nominate the ground on which they wish to play the game and if it conforms to international standards there is nothing we can do but grin and bear it."

The switch leaves the Irish players facing an exhausting journey across Europe on the eve of their most important game of the year.

Because Bursa has no international airport, the FAI party must fly to Istanbul - then travel 90 minutes by road, the same again by ferry and finally a further two hours by road.

As bemused FAI chief executive Bernard O'Byrne admitted: "We could leave Dublin at eight in the morning and not arrive in Bursa until nine that night.

"It is certainly not the ideal preparations before

game of this importance."

Additionally, the change could cause problems with regard to the FAI Opel Player-of-the-Year banquet, which is due to take place the Sunday before the Turkish game.

However, the Irish party may now have to jet out to Turkey 24 hours earlier than originally planned, forcing them to miss the most high profile event on football's social calendar.

Football: McCarthy: This is much worse than having to play in Istanbul; MICK BLASTS MATCH SWITCH.(Sport)

MICK McCarthy last night reacted with dismay to Turkey's decision to move next month's Euro 2000 play-off to the remote town of Bursa.

The switch is seen as part of a dirty tricks campaign by the Turks to ensure that they qualify for next summer's finals.

It means the Irish side face a nightmare 13-hour plane, boat and bus journey across territory made virtually impassable by the recent earthquake.

And it will also bring McCarthy's side face to face with the most hostile set of supporters in world football.

"If Chelsea thought they were hard done by in having to play in Istanbul last Wednesday, it is nothing compared to this" said McCarthy.

"But the host country have the right to nominate the ground on which they wish to play the game and if it conforms to international standards there is nothing we can do but grin and bear it."

The switch leaves the Irish players facing an exhausting journey across Europe on the eve of their most important game of the year.

Because Bursa has no international airport, the FAI party must fly to Istanbul - then travel 90 minutes by road, the same again by ferry and finally a further two hours by road.

As bemused FAI chief executive Bernard O'Byrne admitted: "We could leave Dublin at eight in the morning and not arrive in Bursa until nine that night.

"It is certainly not the ideal preparations before

game of this importance."

Additionally, the change could cause problems with regard to the FAI Opel Player-of-the-Year banquet, which is due to take place the Sunday before the Turkish game.

However, the Irish party may now have to jet out to Turkey 24 hours earlier than originally planned, forcing them to miss the most high profile event on football's social calendar.