The situation in the East is tense because of Russian aggression! Nothing threatens us in Moldova, assures Czech national team manager Tomáš Pešír

After the match at home against Poland (24 March), which will mark the Czech team’s entry into the qualification for the 2024 European Championship in Germany, there will be a match in Modavsk (27 March), where the security situation has deteriorated due to Russian provocations. “But we are not in any danger,” says Czech national team manager Tomáš Pešír

You were in Moldova on an inspection trip about a month ago. What were your feelings?

I perceived information that Russia was putting special pressure on Moldova, which could worsen the security situation. Our security manager was with us on the inspection.

We were well looked after, I had no particular feelings. We were also assured by everyone that there was no danger. I mean, the embassy staff or the officials of the Moldovan Football Federation. And if the situation had deteriorated, we would have been informed immediately and we would have had to deal with it.

Yet did the FAČR management not pressure UEFA to move the match to neutral ground, as happened in rugby, for example?

Of course, such an option also appeared and was mentioned in e-mail communication with UEFA. But so far we have always been assured that UEFA is monitoring the situation and when the Europa League or Conference is played in Moldova, everything is secured in this respect and even interstate matches can be played there.

The problem with events like this is overflight by plane, which is a soft target from a military point of view. Indeed, there have already been indications as to whether Chisinau airport will accept it. Do you have an alternative option ready to move to Moldova?

We have also considered and discussed this, we must not underestimate anything. We would land in Romania, but then we would have to continue by bus, which would be quite uncomfortable and inconvenient.

It is not just the journey, which takes about three hours, but the delays at the border checkpoint and other possible complications. Even if we were assigned a police escort. However, this is still a back-up option and we hope that it will not have to be used.

Are the nominated players asking what the situation is like in Moldova?

Of course they want to have information and I can imagine that questions will still come. But we are ready to give them information and answer everything. I believe that they will understand and will be fine.

Are you increasing the number of security guards for this match?

The security manager was with us in Chisinau, so he saw everything and had a chance to prepare. At the moment we are not planning to increase the usual number of our security.