FFF insist there will be no replay

A replay of the controversial World Cup play-off match between France and the Republic of Ireland is out of the question, the French Football Federation insisted.

France captain Thierry Henry handled the ball in the build-up to the goal that took France to South Africa at Ireland's expense and he earlier said that 'the fairest solution' to the ensuing row would be to replay the match.

Republic of Ireland captain Robbie Keane echoed Henry's comments and the the FAI reacted to both statements by calling on the FFF to seek a replay, in the interests of fair play.

But the FFF was quick to scotch any such talk, while expressing its sympathy with Ireland, and again laid the blame at the feet of the referee.

'The FFF understands the disappointment and bitterness of the Irish players, management and supporters. The federation never sought to deny the refereeing error which saw the equalising French goal allowed,' it said in a statement.

'At the end of the match and because French football itself has suffered in the past by events of a similar nature, the FFF management expressed their regrets and sympathy to their Irish counterparts.'

The federation added: 'Thierry Henry, captain of the France team, spontaneously recognised his handball. He did it at the end of the match to Irish players and the referee, and then to the media.

'This candour and honesty are trademarks of the exemplary career that he has enjoyed at all his clubs as well as the national team. Given the pressure he has come under, the French Football Federation lends him total support.'

The federation ended by saying: 'The Football Assocation of Ireland yesterday asked FIFA for the game to be replayed. FIFA has today rejected this request, recalling the laws of the game which apply to all football matches.

'During matches, decisions are taken by the referee and these decisions are final. As a result, the result of the match cannot be changed and the match cannot be replayed.

'The FIFA decision is binding and applies to both federations.'

The FAI had called on the FFF, to accede to the requests of millions of football fans worldwide and request a replay.

The campaign to get the second leg replayed had gathered significant momentum in spite of FIFA's insistence that there will be no replay.

And following calls by both captains - Thierry Henry and Robbie Keane - , Arsene Wenger, David Ginola and others, the FAI urged the French authorities to request a replay from FIFA to 'protect the integrity of the game worldwide and the pride of the French national team.'

A statement released by the FAI read: 'Following this afternoon's meeting of its Board of Management, the Football Association of Ireland has called on the French Football Federation, as one of the world's largest Football Associations, to join with it and the captains of both the French and Irish teams, Thierry Henry and Robbie Keane, to request a replay from FIFA that would protect the integrity of the game worldwide and the pride of the French national team.

'The Board of Management noted the FFF's statement that it will comply with whatever FIFA decides and welcomed the French team captain's statement that a replay would be the fairest solution.'

The statement concluded: 'The FAI's Board of management noted FIFA's earlier response on the issue and has sent a separate reply to that body.'