CAS unlikely to listen to Ireland's pleas

20/11/2009 - 14:33:33
The Republic of Ireland would almost certainly not be able to challenge FIFA in the Court of Arbitration for Sport over replaying the World Cup play-off with France.

FIFA have rejected Irish calls for a replay made following Thierry Henry’s handball in the build-up to William Gallas’ decisive goal.

The FAI are considering their next move – but any appeal to CAS looks unlikely to get off the ground.

Stephen Townley, a London lawyer who also acts as an arbitrator for CAS, said he believes the Lausanne-based court would not be able to become involved.

Townley said: “Looking at FIFA’s statutes, this would come under violation of the laws of the game, in which case CAS could not pick up the dispute.”

FIFA sources say the FAI have no right of appeal against the rejection of the replay, and that is reinforced by World Cup regulations.

The world governing body said in a statement: “The result of the match cannot be changed and the match cannot be replayed. As is clearly mentioned in the Laws of the Game, during matches, decisions are taken by the referee and these decisions are final.”