FIFA paid Ireland’s FA $ 5 m to stop legal action

An unidentified protestor stands in front the entrance of the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland – REUTERS

REUTERS: FIFA paid Ireland’s FA (FAI) $ 5 million (£ 3.25 million) to avoid a legal case over a controversial World Cup playoff defeat in 2009, world football’s governing body confirmed on Thursday.

Ireland were knocked out by France in a two-legged playoff to qualify for the 2010 South Africa tournament, with the decisive goal in the second leg coming after a handball by French striker Thierry Henry in extra time.

With moral outrage over the goal in Ireland and beyond growing, world football’s governing body came to a financial agreement with the FAI not to proceed with legal action.

FIFA said on Thursday it gave the FAI a loan that would have been paid back had Ireland qualified for the 2014 World Cup.

“In January 2010 FIFA entered into an agreement with FAI in order to put an end to any claims against FIFA,” it said in a statement.

“FIFA granted FAI a loan of $ 5 million for the construction of a stadium in Ireland. At the same time, UEFA also granted the FAI funds for the same stadium.

“The terms agreed between FIFA and the FAI were that the loan would be reimbursed if Ireland qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Ireland did not so qualify.

“Because of this, and in view of the FAI’s financial situation, FIFA decided to write off the loan as per 31 December 2014.”

Former Arsenal and Barcelona forward Henry blatantly stopped the ball going out of play with his hand, before crossing for William Gallas to score. The game in Paris in 2009 ended 1-1 after with France progressing to the finals 2-1 on aggregate.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter revealed that the FAI had asked the governing body to be handed a “33rd place” in the World Cup at a confidential meeting to discuss a possible replay.

FAI chief executive John Delaney criticised Blatter at the time for his handling of the incident and accused the Swiss of being ‘disrespectful’.

Speaking to Irish state broadcaster RTE on Thursday, Delaney said: “It was a payment to the association... not to proceed with a legal case.

“We felt we had a legal case against FIFA because of how the World Cup hadn’t worked out because of the Thierry Henry handball, also the way (Sepp) Blatter behaved if you remember on stage, having a snigger, having a laugh at us.

“So that day when I went in and told him how I felt about him... there were some expletives used, we came to an agreement... It was a very good agreement for the FAI, a very legitimate agreement for the FAI.”

FIFA’s Blatter to skip IOC meeting in Lausanne

Then FIFA President Sepp Blatter (L) stands in front of then executive member Chuck Blazer during the 61st FIFA congress at the Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland in 2011 – REUTERS

REUTERS: Sepp Blatter, who is resigning as President of world football’s embattled governing body FIFA, will not attend an International Olympic Committee meeting next week, the IOC said.

“He informed the IOC president some time ago he will not be attending,” an IOC official told Reuters.

The IOC is holding an executive board meeting as well as a meeting for the 2022 winter Olympic bid cities between 7-10 June in Lausanne.

Blatter, as head of FIFA, is an IOC member.

FIFA said in a statement that the decision had been taken in April, before the current crisis erupted at football’s governing body.

“Back in April the FIFA President informed the IOC that he would not be attending in person the session in Lausanne. His plans have not changed,” said FIFA.

“Future travel plans of the FIFA President will only be confirmed in due course.”