Blatter is an embarrassment claims FAI chief executive

By Duncan Mackay

December 22 – John Delaney, the chief executive of the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), has called Sepp Blatter (pictured) an embarrassment for his behaviour after they were controversially beaten by France in their World Cup Qualifying Play-off.

Blatter stung Irish pride by laughing when he revealed Ireland had sought to be included in the World Cup as a 33rd team in the wake of the ‘hand of Henry’ incident.

Delaney said: “I think the way the President of FIFA behaved was an embarrassment to himself and an embarrassment to FIFA.”

Delaney also revealed that the FAI had turned down the chance to receive an award from FIFA, but had accepted an offer to play Brazil.

Phone discussions between FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke and Delaney culminated with an offer to attend the world governing body’s awards ceremony in Zurich last night and accept a fair play award in the wake of Ireland’s controversial World Cup exit at the hands of France last month.

FAI officials in Abbotstown are unsure if that offer represents the “moral compensation” which Blatter spoke about in the messy aftermath of events in Paris.

Delaney said: “They offered us a Fair Play award.

“We respectfully declined.

“At some stage, we’ve got to put an end to that goal.

“We’ll probably see it for the next 20 or 30 years, I suppose.

“I thought the supporters were fantastic.

“I don’t think many would have behaved as well as they did.”

Marco Tardelli (pictured), Ireland’s assistant manager, claimed that he is still “furious” after Paris and he has two images fixed in his mind after that terrible night.

He said: ”I’m not angry, I am furious.

“I have in my mind the picture of Damien Duff crying and then Blatter laughing.

“It was difficult for us.

“After Blatter spoke, I was even more furious – I don’t understand Blatter.

“Fair play is very important for football, for sport, and I can’t explain to kids how this happened.”

Asked about how well France will perform at the World Cup finals in South Africa next summer, Tardelli’s response was short and to the point.

He said: ”I hope they lose to Italy in the semi- final.”

In an effort to give Ireland partial redress for the controversial exit, Ireland will play Brazil in March in either Dublin or the UK.

The Emirates Stadium, Old Trafford and Celtic Park are among the venues being considered, with the FAI set to try to maximise revenues from the game after losing out on the cash windfall that would have resulted from World Cup qualification.

Croke Park is available for the fixture, which is expected to be played on March 3.

However, with Six Nations rugby on at the same time, playing the fixture could create problems at the Hill 16 end, which is seated for football but usually a terrace for rugby matches.

Delaney said: ”We have been invited to play Brazil by Kentaro, who have the rights to Brazil in Europe.

“Depending on the negotiations, it will be either in Dublin or in the UK.

“It will be nothing like playing in the World Cup but it will be a pick up game and at least it’s something to look forward to.”

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