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Republic of Ireland asked to be 33rd team in World Cup, claims Blatter
Monday, 30 November 2009
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FIFA president Sepp Blatter today claimed the Football Association of Ireland asked to be included in the World Cup finals as an extra team following the Republic of Ireland's controversial play-off exit to France.
The Republic lost to a play-off extra-time goal in Paris scored by William Gallas after Thierry Henry handled the ball in the build-up.
Blatter admitted for the first time the World Cup play-off system must be examined as a result of Henry's handball and the controversy which surrounded the match — but he ruled out the Republic being added to South Africa 2010 as team 33.
FIFA are holding an extraordinary executive committee meeting on Wednesday to deal with a number of pressing issues, with fair play at the top of the agenda following Henry's infamous extra-time handball.
With a replay ruled out, Blatter claimed the FAI had subsequently requested to be included as an extra country at the World Cup.
“Naturally they were unhappy with what happened and asked very humbly whether they could be team number 33,” said Blatter.
“I will bring it to the attention of the executive committee but if we do that, we will also have to bring in Costa Rica.”
The Costa Ricans believe they too were eliminated unfairly - this time by an offside goal scored by Uruguay - but Blatter's tone suggested it was inconceivable FIFA would add any more countries to the 32-team finals next year.
Blatter also gave the broadest hint yet the use of two extra officials behind the goal could be introduced for the World Cup.
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Comments
28 Comments
I must admit that I was never very good at mathematics at school but an odd number of teams means that one group would have to play an extra game, wouldn't it? Furthermore, I remember in 1986, feeling so distraught after Maradona's "mano de dios" knocked England quite unjustly out of the World Cup. But, what can you do? It was clearly unjust. England has got over it. The FIA needs to do the same and stop acting like a two-year-old.
Posted by Ben James | 01.12.09, 00:52 GMT
The FAI are starting to make the IFA look professional.
Posted by RS | 30.11.09, 23:19 GMT
Laugh? I nearly qualified ...
Posted by Just Ask Roy Keane | 30.11.09, 23:05 GMT
Seriously this is boring now, wish those whingers would get over it. Its sport - it happens. Why should the Republic be treated differently to every other team that has had a dodgy decision against them?
Posted by Bored | 30.11.09, 20:16 GMT
The Irish have every right in demanding are play or to be placed into the world cup. France clearly handled the ball and shoudof went to extra time, because the goal was allowed and Ireland got knocked out is very damaging to the sport. This could of happened any team in the world cup. What if it happened to your country and in the final? would you let it go as its too embarrassing?
Posted by Adam | 30.11.09, 20:13 GMT
Yep, loosing the high ground!
Stephen
Posted by Stephen | 30.11.09, 19:55 GMT
Is it true that Frank Ribery's brother is in the next France squad ? He goes by the name of Daylight.
Posted by Keano | 30.11.09, 19:34 GMT
Just Ask Sammy Clingan-I agree with you. I would have rathered go through on a win but that was not possible. I would have so loved to see them in SA but not in this way. Come on FAI, have some pride - don´t beg. It´s over for a few more years.
Posted by robin | 30.11.09, 18:45 GMT
No worse, it's embarrassing for the Irish government. For Brian Cowen, you would think after Sarkozy had asked who the fat guy was that slept through all the meetings, and after seeing him in China going mental over a Coleslaw sandwich that he reputation of the Irish government couldn't be brought any lower...... No, we have a government minister bring up a football match with them officially. What a Mickey Mouse operation we really have here... "Mickey Mouse, we ain't even Donald Duck..."
Posted by What Cameras? | 30.11.09, 18:30 GMT
heard darren gibson has demanded that he be allowed to play for nigeria
Posted by robert | 30.11.09, 16:58 GMT
Forget about the two extra officials behind each goal - in a recent UEFA match, a clear penalty incident took place in front of one of these extra officials - what happened - he did nothing he didn't see it!!! Why can't FIFA move into the modern sporting world and use video technology it has been proven to work in other major Sports without ruining the enjoyment - whether you are spectating live or watching at home!!!
Posted by Rick Hewitt | 30.11.09, 16:32 GMT
As much as I Ireland to be at the WC, not this way.They should let it be now.
Posted by shane | 30.11.09, 16:23 GMT
Always the poor victims...on their knees pleading...what is it about the 'poor down trodden and abused' Oirish culture...when in doubt play the emotional victim card.....!!!..They were eliminated, perhaps unfairly, but sometimes life is unfair...move on !!
Posted by andy o'neill | 30.11.09, 16:21 GMT
Time to stop this humiliation:
1. Sack Trappatoni and his mates
2. Sack Delaney and the deadwood at the FAI
3. Appoint Roy Keane as national coach
4. Unite one Irish team, like in rugby, that will seriously compete in tournaments not fail to qualify.
Posted by Sherlock | 30.11.09, 15:23 GMT
the FAI should be ashamed of themselves. they re behaving like children.
Posted by Lisburn Dave | 30.11.09, 15:20 GMT
Not as embarrassing as it is for FIFA ...
Posted by SW | 30.11.09, 15:16 GMT
The honourable solution to this issue is for France and Ireland to replay the game, even if it is not sanctionned by FIFA. If France win they move forward, if Ireland win, France respectfully stands down, withdraws from the competition, and Ireland moves on.
This way FIFA does not have to get directly involved. Think of how much this would do to bring back an air of honesty and integrity to the sport. France would come out as hereos irrespective of the outcome.
Posted by Ken in Canada | 30.11.09, 15:04 GMT
They would want to stop now. They are gonna let down the country on what should be remembered as a night the Irish put up a great fight in Paris.
Posted by Éamonn | 30.11.09, 15:01 GMT
The economy is down and most people don't have much to get excited about so why not have a soccer World Cup with a bit of controversy and a wild card element. There doesn't seem to have been many rules to keep the fat cats from gorging themselves so why should soccer be so strict and unbending. Let the ordinary folk have a bit of fun too. If ROI manage to win the thing we may even get a bit of spin off 'feel good factor' up here. Let them play!
Posted by JS | 30.11.09, 14:40 GMT
Ireland shpuld just pull out of FIFA, maybe that would burst the dam for the scores of other dissaffected nations.
Posted by Patrick | 30.11.09, 14:37 GMT
28 Comments