Delaney: FIFA were willing to stage replay

JOHN DELANEY believes FIFA would have sanctioned a replay of Ireland’s World Cup play-off against France had the French Football Federation (FFF) joined the widespread calls for the match to take place.

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.”