Republic Of Ireland Boss Giovanni Trapattoni Vows To Fight On

By Andrew Southwick

Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni insists he will not quit football over the Thierry Henry handball episode.

The Italian was incensed after Henry handled the ball to set up William Gallas' winner in Wednesday's World Cup play-off which enabled Les Bleus to reach next year's showpiece event in South Africa.

When asked if he would give up, Trapattoni insisted the thought had crossed his mind, but he isn't a quitter.

"The doubt does emerge, but I don't give up," said Trapattoni, as quoted by the Press Association.

"It took me years to forget about Moreno, but I don't give up."

Byron Moreno was the Ecuadorian referee who officiated during Italy's 2-1 second-round defeat to South Korea in the 2002 World Cup who later admitted Trapattoni's Azzurri were wronged during that contentious match.

"In the spring I will start to prepare for the European qualification," he added.

"I have a dream: to take part in the World Cup 2014 in Brazil. It could be the end of a journey."

Trapattoni went on to vent his fury at FIFA in Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I would like to know what have I done to [Sepp] Blatter," Trapattoni said.

"If he explains it to me at least I would be calm. I often go to schools and speak of fair play. Perhaps I am a dreamer.

"FIFA has violated the rules imposing top seeded teams in the play-offs. It's treachery. I think even [UEFA president Michel] Platini was against this revolution.

"There's this double handball from Henry on Gallas' goal and on top of that [Sebastien] Squillaci was offside.

"It's murder. Even a blind man would have seen the double handball by Henry. The linesman was on line as the images show and he had perfect vision.

"I am certain that Mr Hansson [the referee] was in contact with the fourth official and to those who were looking at the images in slow motion.

"Why, when he understood that he had made a mistake, did he not change his mind? I think the time has come to have TV replays for these extreme cases. In 30 seconds you avoid colossal errors."

Trapattoni was not too complimentary of the referee in the aftermath of the game either, suggesting that a more experienced official should have been in charge of such an important fixture.

"FIFA has done a great job," he claimed.

"For France v Ireland, you needed a top referee, instead they have sent a Hansson nobody."