Houghton: French Football Federation should seek replay

Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Ray Houghton admitted he did not expect FIFA to order a replay of the Ireland v France World Cup play-off, but he appealed to the French Football Federation to play the Irish again.

“I really feel it is up to the French Foot Federation,” he told Sky Sports News. “If they are unhappy with the way they have qualified then they should ask for a replay. You don’t want people going to the World Cup on the back of conning the referee or the officials.

“Surely for the sake of fair play, it should be replayed.”

Houghton also called for FIFA president Sepp Blatter to make a public statement on the decision by football’s world governing body.

“Where is Sepp Blatter? Why hasn’t he come out and stood up and told everyone how it is. He’s very good at telling other countries how to run their game. It really needed the top man to come out and tell the footballing public why they have made this decision.”