Angry Trap' vents his fury

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni will not quit football over the Thierry Henry handball episode.

The France striker handled the ball as he set up William Gallas to score his team's winning goal in the World Cup play-off on Wednesday that allowed Les Bleus to reach next year's big event in South Africa.

'The doubt does emerge,' Trapattoni said when asked if he will continue in football, 'but I don't give up.

'It took me years to forget about Moreno, but I don't give up.'

Byron Moreno was the Ecuadorian referee who officiated during Italy's 2-1 second-round defeat to South Korea in the 2002 World Cup who later admitted Trapattoni's Azzurri were wronged during that contentious match.

'In the spring I will start to prepare for the European qualification,' said the 70-year-old who is still under contract with the Irish.

'I have a dream: to take part in the World Cup 2014 in Brazil. It could be the end of a journey.'

Trapattoni is still seething over Wednesday's game, though.

The FAI appealed to FIFA to have a replay of the encounter and even Henry said that was the best solution but football's world governing body today ruled there would not be another game.

Trapattoni vented his fury at FIFA in Gazzetta dello Sport.

'I would like to know what have I done to (Sepp) Blatter,' Trapattoni said. 'If he explains it to me at least I would be calm.

'I often go to schools and speak of fair play. Perhaps I am a dreamer. FIFA has violated the rules imposing top seeded teams in the play-offs. It's treachery.

'I think even (UEFA president Michel) Platini was against this revolution.'

Trapattoni continues to play Wednesday's events over and over in his mind.

'There's this double handball from Henry on Gallas' goal and on top of that (Sebastien) Squillaci was offside,' Trapattoni said.
'It's murder.

'Even a blind man would have seen the double handball by Henry. The linesman was on line as the images show and he had perfect vision.

'I am certain that Mr Hansson (the referee) was in contact with the fourth official and to those who were looking at the images in slow motion.

'Why, when he understood that he had made a mistake, did he not change his mind? I think the time has come to have tv replays for these extreme cases. In 30 seconds you avoid colossal errors.'

Trapattoni had harsh words for the referee. 'FIFA has done a great job,' he said. 'For France v Ireland, you needed a top referee, instead they have sent a Hansson nobody.'