Ireland’s Samba party on hold

THE FAI have moved to dampen down expectations of a glamour friendly against Brazil next year after the South Americans’ manager, Dunga, appeared to jump the gun by announcing a game would take place between the two nations in Dublin on March 3.

Dunga made the comment while talking to reporters in Rio De Janeiro yesterday but, while not denying that there has been contact between the two football associations regarding such a fixture, the FAI were quick to stress that confirmation of the game was a long way off.

In a statement, the FAI said: “In relation to Brazilian manager Dunga’s comments regarding the possibility of a friendly match between the Republic of Ireland and Brazil, the FAI wishes to clarify that negotiations are at a very preliminary stage and this match is by no means a certainty. The FAI is also waiting on the outcome of the World Cup draw, which may lead to the possibility of other friendly matches.”

The FAI will want to keep their options open since it’s likely that, over the coming days and weeks, they will receive expressions of interest from other nations, particularly those who find themselves pitted against England in today’s draw in Cape Town.

Nor is it certain that any March friendly would take place in Dublin.

There has been no fresh discussion thus far between the FAI and the GAA regarding the availability of Croke Park next year and, depending on the opposition and other issues, it could be that the game would take place at Fulham’s Craven Cottage ground in London – where Ireland have already played twice under Giovanni Trapattoni – or at another venue.

Meanwhile, the FAI has said it is adopting a “wait and see” policy in relation to Sepp Blatter’s suggestion yesterday that Ireland deserves what he called “moral compensation” – perhaps in the form of some kind of symbolic award – for their World Cup elimination on the back of France’s controversial goal in the qualifying play off in Paris.

The FIFA president, speaking in South Africa ahead of today’s World Cup finals draw, said: “When it comes to this, where all the world is watching – this obvious foul play with the hands – then there may be some moral compensation for the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).

“This we have to fix together with the association and make it clear that financial compensation is not exactly what is foreseen in such cases. But the moral compensation is perhaps something they deserve.”

However Blatter explicitly ruled out financial compensation for the FAI after it was revealed that the 32 qualified teams will receive at least £5.4 million (€5.9m) each for taking part in the competition.

Blatter said that paying Ireland would lead to more teams seeking compensation. “If you started to compensate teams not qualified you will have others coming to us,’’ said the FIFA boss. “But you are right when you see this kind of matter where the whole world has seen foul play, then maybe there could be some kind of compensation for Ireland. We will look at that. Yesterday Ireland withdrew their demands (for a 33rd spot) and they asked to meet with us and we will do that next week.’’

The FAI yesterday indicated that no formal meeting had been agreed with FIFA but the body’s General Secretary, Jerome Valcke, has said the world governing body will contact the national association by telephone next week.