FOOTBALL : The Republic of Ireland’s pleas to have their World Cup clash with France replayed are likely to fall on deaf ears.
The Republic of Ireland’s pleas to have their World Cup clash with France replayed are likely to fall on deaf ears.
The Football Association of Ireland has submitted a formal complaint to FIFA after France’s controversial play-off victory in Paris on Wednesday night, and that is currently under consideration.
However, a FIFA source has told Press Association Sport: “There is no way the game can be replayed.”
“To do so would cause absolute chaos for football. If it was replayed, then every match in the future would also be subject to these calls for a replay any time a referee misses an incident.
“FIFA’s rules are absolutely clear. Law five states that a referee’s decision on points of fact are final. That is the end of it. You cannot replay the match on this basis.
“You have to have a rule that says the referee’s judgement is always right.”
Chief executive John Delaney had called on the governing body to uphold “the integrity of the game” after match referee Martin Hansson failed to spot Thierry Henry’s handball as he fed William Gallas to score the decisive extra-time goal at the Stade de France.
Delaney’s call came after the Republic party returned to Dublin still fuming at the way their World Cup dreams had been ripped apart.
Ireland led 1-0 on the night after 90 minutes courtesy of skipper Robbie Keane’s 32nd-minute strike, which cancelled out Nicolas Anelka’s winner in Saturday’s first leg at Croke Park.
They then passed up several excellent opportunities to win the tie outright, but it eventually went to extra-time and it was then that Irish hopes were dashed.
