Diarra accuses Ireland of "making up stories"
Real Madrid's Diarra accuses Ireland of "making up stories"
Tuesday, 17, Nov 2009 01:26
By Michael Younger.
France midfielder Lassana Diarra has accused Ireland's players of "making up stories" following the altercation at the end of the World Cup play-off first leg in Dublin on Saturday night.
After the final whistle was blown tensions boiled over with Diarra and a number of Irish players seen in a brief exchange.
Following the match Ireland midfielder Keith Andrews claimed Diarra had insulted the Irish nation in a foul-mouthed rant at his team-mates - an accusation the Real Madrid midfielder denies.
The former Arsenal midfielder told French newspaper L'Equipe: "I don't know what happened. The Irish team had just lost 1-0, they were not happy, so of course it was 'our fault'.
"The events that took place at the end of the game often happen when players are annoyed.
"There were players who tried to see to it that I would get a card from the referee. I did not lose my head. It just lasted for 30 seconds, and afterwards I went calmly back to the dressing room.
"I don't know about any altercation. A player came towards me and I looked at him - that is all that happened. Anyway, if there were any words exchanged I'm not aware of them."
Diarra's national team-mate, Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, joined Thierry Henry in trying to calm the situation, and also believes the incident was more to do with Ireland's unhappiness in defeat than remarks made by any French player.
"I saw the brawl and I went across to [Old Trafford team-mate] John O'Shea and asked him to get the rest of his team to calm down," said Evra.
"There is no argument to be had on this subject. The second leg will be passionate regardless, whether they try to use this as a reason for extra passion or not. The Irish had lost and their pride was wounded, that is all."
Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has refused to name the player responsible for the dispute, insisting it was his belief that he should "name the sin, but not the sinner" and revealing only that "a famous player" had "insulted the Irish people".
The Irish squad have followed Trapattoni's example, refusing to be drawn on the issue, although Wolves striker Kevin Doyle admitted that "something bad" was imparted by an opponent to Andrews and confessed the incident would be a source of "motivation" for Wednesday's game at the Stade de France.
"There was not any needle during the game at all. It was not a bad tempered game and there were not any bookings," Doyle explained.
"It was pretty hard fought, but nothing nasty and no bitchiness at all. I think it was just a bit of bad temper and a bad comment to Keith straight after the final whistle.
"We will use it as motivation for the return. A few of the lads are angry about what happened and so we will have the bit between our teeth. Everyone is up for it."