Trapattoni plays down flight mix-up

IRELAND’S manager and captain yesterday sought to dampen down the media furore which erupted in the wake of a number of players having to travel in economy class on the squad’s flight from Dublin to Larnaca on Thursday.

Giovanni Trapattoni said he wanted to “clarify a little misunderstanding that happened on the flight”.

Appearing to suggest Irish logistics were complicated by deadline day transfer activity and late call-ups, he said some players were not able to be accommodated in the 22-seater business class section at the front of the plane.