Delaney: FIFA were willing to stage replay
Speaking after the FAI Cup Final in Tallaght yesterday, the FAI Chief Executive said: “It’s disappointing that, for whatever reasons, the French didn’t accede to the request. Because I reckon FIFA would have gone with the replay if the French had gone with it. If both countries had gone and asked FIFA, they would have done it, I have no doubt in my mind about that.
“I know the French FA were under a lot of pressure and, from what I hear (French manager Raymond) Domenech was certainly not in favour of the game being replayed.”
Reports over the weekend suggested Domenech was one of the main obstacles standing in the way of a replay.
The majority of the French players – including Thierry Henry himself – as well as key figures in the FFF were believed to be in favour of a replay and, had they pressed for one, it’s understood FIFA would have given it the green light.
However, Domenech was said to have remained resolutely opposed to the idea and, despite widespread pressure from Ireland, France and much of the rest of the football world, the FFF and FIFA eventually vetoed the idea.
However, it’s also clear that not all of the French team felt Ireland should be given a second chance.
Manchester United defender Patrice Evra mocked the idea, saying a replay with the Irish should only take place “on the Playstation.”
Also in the wake of the controversy, Adidas are looking into post-match comments made by Damien Duff – who has his own sponsorship deal with the company – in which the player alleged that there had been a conspiracy involving the sports manufacturer and FIFA to ensure France would qualify for the World Cup.
A spokesperson for Adidas denied the allegation, saying: “It’s complete rubbish, but Damien was probably speaking in the heat of the moment and we are just trying to clarify what was said.”
Meanwhile, John Delaney has dismissed Roy Keane’s stinging criticism of himself and the FAI as “only a sideshow”.
On Friday, Keane accused Delaney of hypocrisy in calling for a replay of the French game and claimed the FAI man had shown no integrity in his dealings with the player during the Saipan crisis seven years ago.
“From the images I saw (from his press conference) on Friday, it was sad to see (that) from a former great player, more than anything else,” said Delaney.
“We’ve all moved on from Saipan – Niall Quinn, Mick McCarthy, the FAI and all the players – but it seems to me that he (Keane) hasn’t.
“It’s time to forget about Saipan and move on – because everyone else has.”
Delaney declined to discuss the financial impact of failure to qualify for the World Cup on the Association, although a figure of close to €10 million has been estimated.
“I don’t want to go into the money because emotions are still raw over this,” he said.
“We didn’t do our budgets based on the monetary aspect of qualifying. It’s more an emotional thing for anyone involved in the game and I think it would have been great for the country because it would have given the public something to look forward to.”
Delaney also paid tribute to manager Giovanni Trapattoni who has already indicated that he’d like to have another crack at World Cup qualification with Ireland.
“Was he talking 2014 or 2018?” the FAI boss quipped. “We’ll see about that. He’s done wonders for us. All I can say is that I’m really proud of the management team and the players for what they did for the country throughout this campaign and especially on Wednesday night.”
Delaney said that Croke Park might still be used for a friendly game in preparation for Ireland ‘s 2012 European Championship campaign, depending in part on the crowd-pulling appeal of the opposition.
Dates in March and May are available but it’s unlikely that games will be confirmed until after the Euro draw in February.
“But,” the FAI boss added with a smile, “it won’t be France in a friendly, I can tell you.”
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