FRENCH football fans yesterday snapped up every one of the 49,500 tickets that went on public sale for the second leg of the World Cup play-off against the Republic of Ireland in Paris on November 18.

Midfielder Franck Ribery looks set to miss France’s World Cup play-off against Republic of Ireland with a knee injury.

IRELAND’S hope of reaching next year’s World Cup finals received a significant boost last night after respected magazine France Football reported Franck Ribery is a major doubt for next month’s play-offs.

Midfielder Franck Ribery looks set to miss France’s World Cup play-off against Republic of Ireland with a knee injury.

Injured Arsenal and France winger Robert Pires today conceded his World Cup hopes are dead and buried.