DEJECTED Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni has conceded there is no chance of their hugely controversial World Cup play-off with France being replayed.
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) have demanded world governing body Fifa stage a re-run, after Thierry Henry admitted handling the ball in the build-up to William Gallas’s decisive extra-time goal.
Ireland’s Justice Minister Dermot Ahern and Trapattoni’s assistant Liam Brady have also joined players in calling for a replay of Wednesday’s heartbreaking clash in Paris, which has provoked huge public outcry.
But Fifa will reject pleas, or risk setting a precedent that would be sure to trigger a litany of copycat requests.
And Trapattoni yesterday chose not to add his voice to the clamour, declaring he was resigned to a defeat the vastly experienced Italian called “bitter”.
“We know it will be impossible for the game against France to be replayed,” said the 70-year-old, who instead questioned Fifa’s choice of Swedish referee Martin Hansson.
“All fans saw what happened on the pitch. I would only like Fifa to explain how they selected the referee for this important game. For this important game we needed a stronger referee, an important referee.”
Trapattoni also absolved Henry of blame, saying of the Barcelona striker: “It wasn’t up to Henry to say, ‘I touched it with my hand’.”
FAI chief executive John Delaney challenged Fifa to “step up to the plate” by ordering a replay. “I really believe the integrity of the game has been questioned,” he said. “This is their opportunity to step forward.”
Delaney also called on French football chiefs to act, adding: “We have got to do what we have to do. We owe it to the players, who were magnificent.”
Ahern also railed against Henry’s “blatant double handball”, but noted: “They probably won’t grant it as we are minnows in world football but let’s put them on the spot.”
Fifa acknowledged the FAI’s complaint but effectively ruled out a replay by pointing to rules that state: “No protests may be made about the referee’s decisions regarding facts connected with play. Such decisions are final, unless otherwise stipulated in the Fifa Disciplinary Code.”
