Russia and Georgia have agreed to play each other if they are drawn together in the qualifying competition for the European Cup 2016 soccer championship.
UEFA announced the agreement on January 24 before the qualifying draw on February 23 -- the final day of the Winter Olympics in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
Georgia has had no diplomatic relations with Russia since the two neighbors fought a brief war in August 2008 and is not sending a government delegation to the Winter Olympics.
But it will allow its athletes to compete in Sochi as a goodwill gesture.
UEFA kept Russia and Georgia separate when European soccer's governing body made the draw for the Euro 2012 qualifying competition.
The two neighbors were drawn in the same qualifying group for the Euro 2008 finals but refused to play each other.
UEFA announced the agreement on January 24 before the qualifying draw on February 23 -- the final day of the Winter Olympics in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.
Georgia has had no diplomatic relations with Russia since the two neighbors fought a brief war in August 2008 and is not sending a government delegation to the Winter Olympics.
But it will allow its athletes to compete in Sochi as a goodwill gesture.
UEFA kept Russia and Georgia separate when European soccer's governing body made the draw for the Euro 2012 qualifying competition.
The two neighbors were drawn in the same qualifying group for the Euro 2008 finals but refused to play each other.
