PLAY IT AGAIN, SEPP

DIPLOMATIC tension between Ireland and France has become intense as the fallout from the World Cup handball affair gathers political momentum.

Last night, Taoiseach Brian Cowen tackled French President Nicholas Sarkozy at the EU summit in Brussels. “We had an informal chat and he fully understood the disappointment of the Irish people,” Mr Cowen said.

French President Nicholas Sarkozy said last night: “Now do not ask me to stand in for the referee of the game or the football decision makers, be they in France or in Europe. What will be done will be done. But leave me out of it, please.