Football’s world ruling body FIFA on Friday officially turned down a request from the Irish football authorities to stage a replay of their controversial World Cup playoff defeat to France. Backed by Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen on Thursday, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) had lodged the request with FIFA on Thursday. However, a statement on FIFA’s website said “FIFA has replied to the request made by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and states that the result of the match cannot be changed and the match cannot be replayed.”
France qualified for the 2010 World Cup by winning the two-leg tie 2-1 on aggregate on Wednesday, although there has been outrage and claims of cheating after a blatant Thierry Henry handball led to France’s decisive equalizer. The French Football Federation (FFF) said it had “taken note” of FIFA’s decision but said it would make “no further comment”. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) meanwhile confirmed it had received FIFA’s rejection letter and was due to meet later to consider the decision.
Despite no likelihood of a replay, there have been calls for FIFA president Sepp Blatter to personally comment on the controversy, which many commentators claim has further tarnished the sport. Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Ray Houghton admitted he did not expect FIFA to order a replay as they are governed by the rules but he called on Blatter to make a public statement on the decision. “Where is Sepp Blatter? Why hasn’t he come out and stood up and told everyone how it is. He is very good at telling other countries how to run their game. It really needed the top man to come out and tell the footballing public why they have made this decision.”