TheDailySoccerNews.com

FIFA has today, 20 November 2009, replied to the request made by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to replay the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ play-off match held on 18 November 2009 between France and the Republic of Ireland in Paris.

In the reply, FIFA states that the result of the match cannot be changed and the match cannot be replayed. As is clearly mentioned in the Laws of the Game, during matches, decisions are taken by the referee and these decisions are final. (FIFA.com) Friday 20 November 2009

France captain Thierry Henry has risked further wrath from Republic of Ireland after admitting it ‘was neccesary to exploit what was exploitable’ regarding his handball in their World Cup play-off.

The Irish have branded the striker a ‘cheat’ after he handled the ball in the build-up to William Gallas’ extra-time goal in Wednesday’s second leg, which gave Les Bleus a 2-1 aggregate win and a place in South Africa next summer.

Ireland’s Football Association has submitted a written request to FIFA asking for a replay following the highly controversial events in Paris, but a source at world football’s governing body has said there is ‘no way’ the plea will be answered.

Henry has already admitted to handling the ball and has now apologised, but the Barcelona star has also threatened to cause fresh outrage after confessing he needed to help his side respond to Robbie Keane’s first-half strike. (continue reading…)

DUBLIN (AP) - Ireland appealed to both France and FIFA on Thursday to replay their World Cup playoff after an obvious handball by Thierry Henry set up the deciding goal.

Ireland’s government and football association asked for Wednesday’s 1-1 draw in the second leg at Stade de France to be replayed. France advanced to next year’s World Cup in South Africa 2-1 on aggregate.

“We can confirm that we have received Ireland’s request for a replay match,” FIFA said in a statement, though it was unclear if the governing body of world football would seriously consider the request.

Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni called the prospect of a rematch “impossible,” and Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen said he would raise the issue with French President Nicolas Sarkozy at a meeting of the 27 EU leaders in Brussels.

“Fairness is part of the game,” said Cowen, who added he would “have a chat about it (with Sarkozy).”

Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney said he doubted that FIFA would respond positively - unless the French football association voluntarily acceded to Ireland’s call for a rematch. (continue reading…)

Robbie Keane has launched a scathing attack on football’s governing bodies after the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup dreams were shattered in Paris.

The 29-year-old Tottenham striker’s anger at FIFA’s belated decision to seed the play-off draw, which put the Irish at a disadvantage, was compounded by the controversial extra-time goal which saw France eventually scrape through 2-1 on aggregate in Paris on Wednesday night.

Swedish referee Martin Hansson missed French captain Thierry Henry handling the ball before he crossed for William Gallas to finally end the Republic’s brave resistance at the Stade de France.

Keane said: “It’s an easy decision to do the seedings, isn’t it?

“They are all probably clapping hands, [UEFA President Michel] Platini sitting up there on the phone to [FIFA President] Sepp Blatter, probably texting each other, delighted with the result. (continue reading…)

The last remaining tickets to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ from the European Zone were handed out on Wednesday as France, Portugal, Slovenia and Greece won their play-off ties against Republic of Ireland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Russia and Ukraine respectively.

Those four teams will join up with nine more sides from the Old Continent next summer, in the shape of qualifying group winners Denmark, Switzerland, Slovakia, Germany, Spain, England, Serbia, Italy and the Netherlands.

Ukraine 0-1 Greece (first leg 0-0)
Goal: Dimitrios Salpingidis 31 (Greece)

The story of the game
‘King Otto’ struck again thanks to a 4-5-1 formation which featured a forward on either flank behind lone striker Angelos Charisteas. Otto Rehhagel’s men went ahead just beyond the half-hour and held on to stun their hosts, (continue reading…)

Thierry Henry will not be granted the freedom of Ireland after his nefarious part in the goal that decided France’s play-off with Ireland. It surely sent the Emerald Isle into a fervent rage they may long hold against the Barcelona striker after a 1-1 draw in Paris.

With Robbie Keane scoring the goal that placed the tie level at the Stade De France, and Ireland missing chances through both Keane and Damien Duff, justice will not be seen to have been served to a France team that continued to struggle under embattled coach Raymond Domenech. Extra-time dawned, after Nicolas Anelka had failed to secure a penalty with what looked a clear dive.

In the 103rd minute, a Florient Malouda free-kick found Henry, clearly offside in the first place. He used two clear touches of his hand to control the ball and then pass across the goal for an embarassed-looking William Gallas to nod in. Ireland and manager Giovanni Trapattoni flew into a justified rage (continue reading…)