France/Ireland - World Cup play-offs

French minister calls for Ireland rematch but FIFA says Non

Article published on the 2009-11-20 Latest update 2009-11-20 10:32 TU

"Le Main de Dieu" - Henry's handball against Ireland
(Photo: public domain)

A senior member of the French government broke ranks on Friday by calling for the controversial World Cup qualifier between France and Ireland to be replayed. FIFA, however, has turned Ireland's request for a re-match, saying that decisions taken by the referee are final.

Finance Minister Christine Lagarde contradicted President Nicolas Sarkozy and Prime Minister François Fillon, saying that the game should be played again because the French team cheated to clinch their place in the South Africa tournament.

"I'm very happy that the (French) team is in the World Cup but it is very sad to have qualified by cheating," she told RTL radio station.

"I think that in such circumstances it would be good to decide to have the match replayed."

Lagarde said world football's governing body FIFA, which on Friday turned down a request from Ireland to have the match replayed, needed to look again at its rules and that "if the rules are bad then they should be re-examined".

France booked their place at the finals next year thanks to a 1-1 draw in Paris on Wednesday which gave them an aggregate 2-1 win over the two legs.

But the William Gallas goal that gave them the draw came from a move during which the France captain Thierry Henry deliberately used his hand to keep the ball in play. The referee and his assistants all missed the infringement and the goal was allowed to stand.

The incident has caused uproar in Ireland where prime minister Barry Cowen called for a rematch.

President Sarkozy and Prime Minister Fillon both said that politicians should not get involved but leave decisions to FIFA.

The world governing body issued a statement on Friday turning down the Irish request.

"FIFA states that the result of the match cannot be changed and the match cannot be replayed," said the statement.

"As is clearly mentioned in the Laws of the Game, during matches, decisions are taken by the referee and these decisions are final."