FIFA 'yet to receive FAI complaint'
19/11/2009 - 16:31:15FIFA have said they have yet to receive an official complaint from the FAI over the controversial World Cup play-off defeat to France.
The world governing did say however the referee’s decision is final and they would not comment on decisions taken by match officials.
A FIFA statement said: “Law 5 of the Laws of the Game state that: The decisions of the referee regarding facts connected with play, including whether or not a goal is scored and the result of the match, are final. The referee may only change a decision on realising that it is incorrect or, at his discretion, on the advice of an assistant referee or the fourth official, provided that he has not restarted play or terminated the match.”
The Football Association of Ireland today lodged a formal complaint with FAI chief executive John Delaney urging FIFA to uphold their own principles and “step up to the plate” by agreeing to replay last night’s controversial World Cup play-off defeat by France.
The FAI said the integrity of the game has been damaged after French forward Thierry Henry blatantly handled the ball during extra time in the lead-up to the winning goal scored by William Gallas.
“The handball was recognised by the FIFA commissioner, the referee observer and the match officials, as well as by the player himself,” the FAI said.
Justice Minister Dermot Ahern and assistant Republic of Ireland coach Liam Brady have both called for the game to replayed.
The FAI hit out at the referee, Swedish firefighter Martin Hansson, who failed to spot Henry use an arm to control the ball before squaring for team-mate William Gallas to score.
“Conclusive video evidence of a deliberate hand ball by Thierry Henry, which led to France’s additional time goal, has been seen by millions of football fans worldwide,” the FAI said.
“The blatantly incorrect decision by the referee to award the goal has damaged the integrity of the sport and we now call on Fifa, as the world governing body for our sport, to organise for this match to be replayed.”
<-- BACK TO STORY