Kerr condemns O'Brien incident

Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr believes Andy O’Brien “was hard done by” after claiming he was elbowed by Fabien Barthez during Saturday’s World Cup qualifier against France.

The debate over the incident in the closing stages of the goalless Group Four draw at the Stade de France has continued to rumble on.

O’Brien has already expressed his unhappiness at former Manchester United star Barthez, who swung an elbow at the Newcastle centre back, catching him on his ear.

Spanish referee Arturo Dauden Ibanez failed to spot what happened, yet television cameras did and the matter may yet be brought before FIFA’s disciplinary committee for review.

Kerr, who has now also seen the challenge again on television, said: “It should have been a penalty.

“When Andy was crossing by him he got an elbow in the head, and while I’m not upset about that, I am upset we didn’t get the penalty.

“It would have been a crucial time to get a goal and be ahead in the match. It was strange the referee and linesman didn’t see it because it was so blatant.

“Andy has unfortunately been the victim of one or two elbows lately, and given his general demeanour and the way he plays the game, he is not one for upsetting other players.

“He plays the game very fairly and cleanly as a centre back. He was hard done by.”

United manager Alex Ferguson has been an outspoken critic of use of the elbow in the past.

However, Kerr feels it is less prevalent in international matches compared to club games.

“We don’t see that much of it in international football,” added Kerr. “In general, players honestly go for the ball and there are honest challenges, although I know it’s a serious issue for FIFA and UEFA referees.

“He [Ibanez] must have just missed it in the game.

“But it’s over now and let’s get on with it.”