LONDON: Football’s world ruling body FIFA today officially turned down a request from the Irish football authorities to stage a replay of their controversial World Cup playoff defeat to France.

Backed by Irish PM Brian Cowen, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) had lodged the request with FIFA on Thursday. However a FIFA said: “FIFA has today replied to the request made by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to replay the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa play-off match held on 18 November between France and the Republic of Ireland. In the reply, FIFA states that the result of the match cannot be changed and the match cannot be replayed.”

France qualified for the 2010 World Cup by winning the two-leg tie 2-1 on aggregate on Wednesday, although there has been outrage and claims of cheating after a Thierry Henry handball led to France’s decisive equaliser. The French Football Federation (FFF) said it had “taken note” of FIFA’s decision but said it would make “no further comment”.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) meanwhile confirmed it had received FIFA’s rejection letter and was due to meet later today to consider the decision. “A previously scheduled meeting of the FAI board of management will take place this afternoon where the matter will be considered,” said a FAI statement. “No further comment will be made until this meeting has concluded.”

Despite no likelihood of a replay, there have been calls for FIFA president Sepp Blatter to personally comment on the controversy, which many commentators claim has further tarnished the sport. Former Ireland midfielder Ray Houghton admitted he did not expect FIFA to order a replay as they are governed by the rules but he called on Blatter to make a public statement.

Henry admitted he handled the ball just before crossing for William Gallas who headed home the equaliser that broke Irish hearts at the Stade de France. But while Henry was widely condemned, and his integrity questioned, the French football authorities maintain that the referee, Swede Martin Hansson, and not Henry is to blame.

Egypt set for FIFA disciplinary action

ZURICH: FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Egypt following the violence before their World Cup qualifier with Algeria in Cairo last week, world football’s governing body said.

“According to the official reports received by FIFA, on 12 November, there were incidents affecting the Algerian team on their way from the airport to the hotel,” a FIFA statement said. “Consequently, disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the Egyptian Football Association. The FIFA Disciplinary Committee will decide on the case,” it added.

FIFA officials had already acknowledged that three Algerian players and the goalkeeping coach suffered injuries. Egypt later won that match, leading to a tie in their group and a play-off in Sudanthat Algeria won 1-0 to secure a World Cup berth.

The incidents and row over the play-off have triggered a diplomatic spat between the two nations. Egypt also announced it was suspending its membership of the Union of North African Football Federations, complaining Algerian fans had thrown stones at their fans. — AFP