World Cup Play-Offs (Europe) Draw

[Nosferatu]

If you think the recession will be fixed by jobs for barmen and lounge boys so be it, I wont argue any further!

Well you're arguing with yourself. No one is saying it will fix it. In fact that was explained above. All anyone is saying is that it would help the economy at a time when any help is very much needed.

[Nerik]

They were never going to do anything for Ireland. We're not big enough. It was clear when they brought the seedings into the draw where their priorities lay.

If only you guys were Man Utd.

[Nosferatu]

France are Utd or similar. They got the seeded draw and the dodgy decision.

[Nosferatu]

Ireland slam Blatter for revealing 33rd place bid
FAI hits out
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By Soccernet staff

The Football Association of Ireland have reopened the row over their loss to France in the World Cup play-offs by criticising Sepp Blatter for publicising private conversations over the matter.

FIFA president Blatter told the media on Monday that Ireland had asked to be included in the World Cup finals as a 33rd team, something which was thrown out by world football's governing body on Tuesday.

The FAI also accused Blatter of trying to divert attention away from the real issues at hand, such as the late decision to seed teams for the European play-offs.

A statement said: "The Football Association of Ireland acknowledges that the suggestion of an additional place at the World Cup is not a possibility and had requested yesterday [Tuesday] that it will not be raised at the FIFA executive committee meeting.

"The FAI has already clarified that this matter was peripheral, was not raised in any of its formal written submissions to FIFA, and was explored only fleetingly as part of a wide-ranging 90-minute discussion with that body.

"Regrettably, the matter appears to have been singled out in public by Mr Blatter despite his assurances that the meeting would remain private.

"Instead of diverting attention, we would prefer that Mr Blatter uses this opportunity to deal with the issues which have been raised formally for the benefit of football worldwide.

"1. Ensure that FIFA's rules cannot be changed mid-way through a tournament, for whatever reason, commercial or otherwise.

"2. Introduce video technology for matches at the highest level which has been resisted for too long and which would have avoided the error that led, in part, to today's meeting.

"3. Implement additional goal line assistant referees for all FIFA international matches.

"4. In future, introduce stronger sanctions for players involved in match defining breaches of the Laws of the Game.

"5. Issue a clear statement that FIFA does not condone breaches of the Laws of the Game. For a man in Mr Blatter's position to empathise with someone who scored a goal by cheating is inappropriate.

"The FAI raised these matters only so that the likelihood of such incidents recurring be reduced and now leaves their consideration in the hands of football's world governing body.''

[zaphod]

[Nosferatu]

Be funnier if he had Bladder wearing a French jersey drinking a coke.

[Nerik]

His clothes are the colours of the French flag.

[Nosferatu]

FIFA investigate Henry, reject extra refs
By Soccernet staff

France striker Thierry Henry is to be investigated by FIFA's disciplinary committee over his handball against the Republic of Ireland. Henry handled the ball to set up William Gallas' equalising goal to take the French side through to the World Cup Finals in South Africa, ending Ireland's dream.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter called an extraordinary general meeting in the wake of the play-off controversy, and FIFA confirmed on Wednesday that they would now look into the incident. Blatter insisted that there was no certainty Henry would be banned.

He said: "I have not said that Thierry Henry will be punished, I have said that Thierry Henry will be examined by the disciplinary committee of FIFA.''

Blatter said players should realise that the eyes of the world will be on them next summer.

"I appeal to all the players and coaches to observe this fair play. In 2010 we want to prove that football is more than just kicking a ball but has social and cultural value,'' Blatter added. "So we ask the players 'please observe fair play' so they will be an example to the rest of the world.''

Meanwhile, FIFA's executive committee have decided against bringing in the five-referees system for next summer's World Cup but have announced an inquiry to consider both technology and extra officials.

It was widely expected that FIFA would approve UEFA president Michel Platini's five match officials concept, an extra assistant referee behind each goal, in the wake of the Henry incident. However, the system, being trialled in this season's Europa League, was not accepted by the committee.

Blatter said the World Cup would come too soon to allow the inclusion of the system currently being trialled in the Europa League, with two extra assistant referees behind each goal-line.

The FIFA president said: ''The executive committee came to the decision that the referee is not any longer consistent with the quality and the speed of the game, and the interest of television and 32 cameras as we will have in the World Cup.

''We shall have a look at technology or additional persons and this shall be done by a committee but not the referees committee alone, it will be done by the football, technical and medical committees, too.

''The experiments with the Europa League shall go on into the knockout stages next year but it has been decided, for the World Cup 2010, there is no change in the refereeing: one referee, two assistants and a fourth official.

''We do not ignore the experiments but they are being made in only one professional league in Europe. Most of those referees will not be selected for the World Cup.

''In the other countries the experiments have not been made so it's the opinion, not only of the executive committee but other committees, too, that an experiment must be carried out globally before you can put it into the World Cup.''

[Nerik]

I remember Raul getting a 1 match ban for his handball goal against Leeds which was then rescinded.

[noel 78]

Why investigate?we seen him do it he said he did it ,give him his slap on the wrist that we all know is exactly all he will get.they dont want video evidence there is an old timer running the show who does not want progression.blatter apology 2 us irish made me laugh he said he was misinterpreted, what does he mean he was laughing at us on tv.

[rednoxy]

Embarrassing that John Delaney and the FAI asked fifa to be included in next years world cup as the 33th team!!!! I know Ireland were hard done by and that the " le cheat" Henry lowered his standards but to seriously ask to be included is a total shambles!!