We may scrap play-offs after Henry handball, reveals Blatter

By Andrew Warshaw in Johannesburg

November 30 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter (pictured) today admitted for the first time that the World Cup playoff system had to be seriously re-examined as a result of Thierry Henry’s infamous handball that cost Ireland a place in the finals.

In a strongly-worded keynote address to the Soccerex conference in Johannesburg, Blatter also indicated that FIFA might bring in two extra officials behind each goal in time for next summer’s tournament in order to cut out cheating and other controversial incidents.

FIFA are holding an extraordinary executive committee meeting in Cape Town on Wednesday to deal with a number pressing issues, with fair play at the top of the agenda following Henry’s extra-time handball in Paris that eliminated the Irish.

“On one match it is decided if you are in or out and this is not the spirit behind this World Cup,” said Blatter. “

“We must have a look at this.

“There is so much at stake.”

With a replay ruled out, Blatter claimed the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) had subsequently requested to be included as an extra country at the World Cup.

Although such a move would be unprecedented and serve as a precedent for any other countries aggrieved at being eliminated controversially, Blatter said Wednesday’s meeting would consider the Irish request.

“We received a delegation from Ireland in Zurich on Friday and they were naturally absolutely unhappy at what has happened,” said Blatter.

“They have not asked for any sanctions but have asked, very humbly, whether they could be team number 33 at the World Cup.”

In a statement the FAI confirmed it made the request.

“A lot was discussed at the meeting and at one stage the FAI asked if Ireland could be accommodated into the World Cup 2010.”

The statement continued: “Other suggestions were also made to mitigate against further occurrences of such incidents, including the use of additional goal line assistant referees for FIFA international matches, further use of video technology for matches at the highest level, stronger provisions to discourage players from engaging in such blatant breaches of the Laws of the Game and provisions to strengthen referee selection for such
important matches.”

With the draw for the World Cup finals due in Cape Town on Friday, FIFA have virtually no room to manoeuvre and Blatter gave the broadest hint that Ireland’s last-ditch request would be politely turned down.

“I will bring it to the attention of the Executive Committee but if we do that, we will also have to bring in Costa Rica,” he said.

The Costa Ricans believe they too were eliminated unfairly – this time by an offside goal scored by Uruguay in their playoff – and Blatter’s tone suggested it was inconceivable FIFA would add any more countries to the 32-team finals.

What they might do, however, is turn the experiment of using of two extra officials, one behind each goal - currently being trialled in the Europa League - into law in time for the World Cup.

“It’s possible we will make additional officials for the World Cup but we have to see if it is feasible or realistic. Something has to be done in terms of match control.”

If Wednesday’s meeting gives this the green light for any rule change, it will have to go the International FA Board’s (IFAB) annual meeting in March for final approval.

They are the rule-makers of world football and all long-term, innovative changes have go through IFAB channels.

“How can it happen that all over the world, through TV cameras, we have seen through a cheating handball that a pass was given for a goal?” said Blatter of the William Gallas goal that broke Irish hearts in Paris.

“Everyone is asking what is and what isn’t fair play.”

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