Sepp Blatter Reveals Republic Of Ireland Asked To Be Included As Extra Team At 2010 World Cup

Irish made extraordinary plea...

30-Nov-2009 5:01:49 PM

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Henry - France - Ireland (Globoesportes)
By Zack Wilson

FIFA president Sepp Blatter has made the claim that the FAI asked to be included in next summer's World Cup finals as an extra team, following their controversial play-off to defeat to France.

Blatter appeared to rule that request out, but he acknowledged that FIFA needed to take close look at its play-off system ahead of a meeting of the game's governing body on Wednesday.
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"On one match it is decided if you are in or out and this is not the spirit behind this World Cup," the Swiss said, 

"We must have a look at this. There is so much at stake.

"Naturally they [the FAI] were unhappy with what happened and asked very humbly whether they could be team number 33.

"I will bring it to the attention of the executive committee but if we do that, we will also have to bring in Costa Rica."

The Costa Ricans were denied a goal in their play-off with Uruguay due to an incorrect offside decision.

Blatter also hinted that the extra officials trialled in this season's Europa League would be seen in the World Cup.

"It's possible we will make additional officials for the World Cup but we have to see if it is feasible or realistic. Something has to be done in terms of match control," he added.

"How can it happen that all over the world, through TV cameras, we have seen through a cheating handball that a pass was given for a goal?

"Everyone is asking what is and what isn't fair play. The highest crime in football is touching the ball with the hands."
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