Nov. 30 (Bloomberg) -- Irish soccer officials asked FIFA to allow the nation to play in next year’s World Cup after the squad was knocked out by a French goal set up by Thierry Henry’s handball.
A meeting on Nov. 27 with Sepp Blatter, the head of the sport’s world governing body, also included discussions on the use of additional assistant referees on the goal line and the use of video technology, the Football Association of Ireland said today in an e-mailed statement.
“A lot was discussed at the meeting and at one stage the FAI asked if Ireland could be accommodated into the World Cup 2010,” the FAI said in the statement.
FIFA officials will hold an emergency meeting this week in response to several issues, including the refereeing that allowed the handball and the arrest of suspects in Europe’s largest match-fixing investigation.
The governing body faced a barrage of demands for a replay of the Nov. 18 World Cup playoff between France and Ireland, after video replays showed Henry twice used his hand to control the ball before setting up William Gallas for the goal that gave France a 2-1 victory over two matches. FIFA’s rules state a referee’s decision is final.
Irish officials asked Blatter if FIFA would consider adding an extra spot in the 32-team competition, which starts in June. The request may be discussed at the executive committee meeting this week.
A meeting on Nov. 27 with Sepp Blatter, the head of the sport’s world governing body, also included discussions on the use of additional assistant referees on the goal line and the use of video technology, the Football Association of Ireland said today in an e-mailed statement.
“A lot was discussed at the meeting and at one stage the FAI asked if Ireland could be accommodated into the World Cup 2010,” the FAI said in the statement.
FIFA officials will hold an emergency meeting this week in response to several issues, including the refereeing that allowed the handball and the arrest of suspects in Europe’s largest match-fixing investigation.
The governing body faced a barrage of demands for a replay of the Nov. 18 World Cup playoff between France and Ireland, after video replays showed Henry twice used his hand to control the ball before setting up William Gallas for the goal that gave France a 2-1 victory over two matches. FIFA’s rules state a referee’s decision is final.
Irish officials asked Blatter if FIFA would consider adding an extra spot in the 32-team competition, which starts in June. The request may be discussed at the executive committee meeting this week.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment