Fifa rejects Ireland-France replay
Thierry Henry clearly handling the ball
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Friday, 20, Nov 2009 09:43
By Richard James.
A request by the Football Association of Ireland for the World Cup playoff against France to be replayed has been rejected by Fifa.
The Republic lost the playoff 2-1 on aggregate on Wednesday in hugely controversial circumstances with French striker Thierry Henry clearly handling the ball in the lead up to the host's wining goal in extra time.
Henry has since admitted to the handball but remarkably the referee and his assistants failed to spot the foul at the time of the infringement resulting in the goal standing.
Following the game, the FAI lodged an appeal with Fifa calling for the game to be replayed.
However, the governing body has responded in a predictable manner stating the result will stand.
"There is no way the game can be replayed," a Fifa source said.
"Law five states that a referee's decision on points of fact is final. That is the end of it. You cannot replay the match on this basis."
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni said yesterday he did not expect there would be a reply, despite the manner in which William Gallas scored the winning goal.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday he said: "When a referee decides a game has finished I know it is impossible to replay the game.
"This situation has to give a chance to who is responsible to rethink. It can be repeated in the future and we have to stop it."
Irish hearts were broken late on Wednesday night after they had fought back to overcome a 1-0 deficit from the first leg. The game appeared destined for penalties until Henry's intervention at the end of the first half of extra time.