Georgia stay in Nations Cup after player shooting

Georgia’s place in the Autumn Nations Cup will not be threatened by an extraordinary incident in which the union’s vice-president shot a player in the leg.

According to reports in the Georgian media, vice-president Merab Beselia has been arrested by police for shooting Ramaz Kharazishvili, a former sevens captain, in the leg at the governing body’s offices in Tbilisi on Wednesday.

Georgia will be England’s opening opponents for the Autumn Nations Cup in a match at Twickenham on Nov 14, having replaced Japan in the eight-country tournament.

Six Nations Rugby, organisers of the Autumn Nations Cup, confirmed that the shooting incident would have no bearing on the competition. “It is a matter for the Georgian Rugby Union and the Georgian authorities,” a Six Nations spokesperson said.

Georgia have never been less well-equipped for their first entry into a tier-one tournament outside of the World Cup and have now been plunged into further disarray with police launching an investigation into the alleged illegal purchase, possession and carrying of a firearm, and damage to health.

Media reports suggested the shooting followed a dispute between the two men, with Kharazishvili, who is president of a club side, a persistent critic of the Georgian Rugby Union.

“Kharazishvili received injuries to his leg. His life is not in danger. All employees of the Rugby Union are cooperating with the police,” Tornike Gogebashvili, acting president of the Georgia Rugby Union told 1Tv.ge.