by smithy » Sat Nov 21, 2009 1:46 pm
FAI renew appeal for France-Ireland replay after Thierry Henry backs calls
From correspondents in Dublin, Ireland
November 21, 2009 .Irish football chiefs have renewed an appeal for FIFA to order the handball-marred World Cup playoff with France to be replayed, after Thierry Henry said a re-match would be the "fairest solution."
The Football Association of Ireland "called on the French Football Federation ... to join with it and the captains of both the French and Irish teams, Thierry Henry and Robbie Keane, to request a replay from FIFA," it said.
Earlier the French captain repeated his admission that he had controlled the ball with his hand before the decisive goal in Wednesday's disputed match in Paris, but insisted it had been an "instinctive" reaction.
In a statement released in Dublin after a meeting of its management board, the FAI said that only a replay "would protect the integrity of the game worldwide and the pride of the French national team".
It noted that the French Football Federation had said it would "comply with whatever FIFA decides and welcomed the French team captain's statement that a replay would be the fairest solution".
"Lastly, the FAI's Board of management noted FIFA's earlier response on the issue and has sent a separate reply," it said, referring to a FIFA statement saying that it would not order a replay.
Ireland captain Keane also welcomed Henry's admission that a replay would be the fairest option.
"As captain of the France team, to make such a statement took courage and honour, and all of us recognise that," he said.
"As captain of the Republic of Ireland team, I would also be happy for a replay to happen in the interest of fair play so that whichever team qualifies, can do so with their heads held high.
"We can only hope that the French Football Federation might accept the wishes of both captains in the best interests of the game," added Keane
But the French Football Federation (FFF) was quick to scotch any such talk, while expressing its sympathy with Ireland.
"The FFF understands the disappointment and bitterness of the Ireland players, management and supporters. The federation never sought to deny the refereeing error which saw the equalising France goal allowed," it said in a statement.
"At the end of the match and because French football itself has suffered in the past by events of a similar nature, the FFF management expressed their regrets and sympathy to their Ireland counterparts."
The federation added: "Thierry Henry, captain of the France team, spontaneously recognised his handball. He did it at the end of the match to Irish players and the referee, and then to the media.
"This candour and honesty are trademarks of the exemplary career that he has enjoyed at all his clubs as well as the national team. Given the pressure he has come under, the French Football Federation lends him total support."
The federation ended by saying: "The Football Assocation of Ireland asked FIFA for the game to be replayed. FIFA has today rejected this request, recalling the laws of the game which apply to all football matches.
"During matches, decisions are taken by the referee and these decisions are final. As a result, the result of the match cannot be changed and the match cannot be replayed.
"The FIFA decision is binding and applies to both federations."