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FAI Confirm Meeting With Sepp Blatter To Discuss World Cup Place
More proof that the Irish did discuss the possibility of a World Cup berth.
Nov 30, 2009 8:27:43 AM
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has confirmed that its representatives did meet with FIFA president Sepp Blatter about the possibility of the Republic of Ireland being admitted to the World Cup as a '33rd nation'.
Blatter revealed on Monday that the FAI had made the extraordinary request following their controversial play-off defeat to France, though he also appeared to rule out any chance of them being allowed into the tournament.
The Irish also confirmed that refereeing issues had been discussed at the meeting, as well as the possible introduction of video technology in order to minimise further incidents such as the Thierry Henry handball which helped France to victory.
A statement on the FAI's official website reads:
"The Football Association of Ireland today (November 30) confirmed that it attended an hour and a half meeting, at its request, with Mr Sepp Blatter, President of FIFA on Friday in Zurich. A lot was discussed at the meeting and at one stage the FAI asked if Ireland could be accommodated into the World Cup 2010.
"Other suggestions were also made to mitigate against further occurrences of such incidents, including the use of additional goal line assistant referees for FIFA international matches, further use of video technology for matches at the highest level, stronger provisions to discourage players from engaging in such blatant breaches of the Laws of the Game and provisions to strengthen referee selection for such important matches."
Zack Wilson, Goal.com UK
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Blatter revealed on Monday that the FAI had made the extraordinary request following their controversial play-off defeat to France, though he also appeared to rule out any chance of them being allowed into the tournament.
The Irish also confirmed that refereeing issues had been discussed at the meeting, as well as the possible introduction of video technology in order to minimise further incidents such as the Thierry Henry handball which helped France to victory.
A statement on the FAI's official website reads:
"The Football Association of Ireland today (November 30) confirmed that it attended an hour and a half meeting, at its request, with Mr Sepp Blatter, President of FIFA on Friday in Zurich. A lot was discussed at the meeting and at one stage the FAI asked if Ireland could be accommodated into the World Cup 2010.
"Other suggestions were also made to mitigate against further occurrences of such incidents, including the use of additional goal line assistant referees for FIFA international matches, further use of video technology for matches at the highest level, stronger provisions to discourage players from engaging in such blatant breaches of the Laws of the Game and provisions to strengthen referee selection for such important matches."
Zack Wilson, Goal.com UK
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