Republic of Ireland

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Furious FAI hit back at Blatter

02 Dec 2009 - 13:24:50

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The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) have responded angrily to FIFA president Sepp Blatter's comments earlier in the week.

Blatter spoke at a press conference about the FAI's request for the Republic of Ireland to be included as the 33rd team at next summer's finals.

The FAI are annoyed that the request was made public and are unhappy with Blatter's overall handling of the controversy.

The Republic failed to qualify for next summer's tournament after being beaten 2-1 on aggregate by France in a two-legged play-off.

However, referee Martin Hansson failed to spot that France skipper Thierry Henry had handled the ball in the build-up to William Gallas' decisive goal in the second leg encounter.

The FAI failed in a request to have the game replayed but now believe Blatter has gone public on a matter that should have remained private.

A statement said: "The Football Association of Ireland acknowledges that the suggestion of an additional place at the World Cup is not a possibility and has requested yesterday that it will not be raised at today's FIFA executive committee meeting.

"The FAI has already clarified that this matter was peripheral, was not raised in any of its formal written submissions to FIFA, and was explored only fleetingly as part of a wide-ranging 90-minute discussion with that body.

"Regrettably, the matter appears to have been singled out in public by Mr Blatter despite his assurances that the meeting would remain private."