FIFA to discuss France v Ireland as fans sign online petition for a replay

Ireland's World Cup dream was controversially ended on Wednesday night. William Hill offer 100/1 on the play-off second leg being replayed(credit: eamoncurry123 )

Oddspreview staff
24 Nov 2009

Want to see France v Republic of Ireland replayed? Sign the petition with Boylesports and have your message passed on to FIFA and the French Embassy!


FIFA has called for an extraordinary general meeting in early December to discuss incidents at the World Cup play-offs, including Thierry Henry's handball during the controversial World Cup play-off second leg between France and Republic of Ireland.

French forward Henry had last week called for the game to be replayed after he handled the ball twice in the build-up to William Gallas' extra-time goal which earned France a 2-1 aggregate win.

FIFA insisted that a replay would not take place, but Henry later on issued a statement in which he said a replay of the game would be the "fairest solution."

Punters have been flocking to sign the petition created by Boylesports to have the match replayed after calls from the Irish Government for FIFA to sanction a replay.

Boylesports are to present a petition to  FIFA's HQ, as well as the French Embassy in Dublin.

The story has dominated the headlines since Wednesday night, with some bookies refunding bets as a result of the controversy.

Crowd trouble before, during and after Algeria's win against Egypt could also come under the microscope when FIFA meet next week, as could discussions over betting irregularities in football and issues surrounding refereeing in matches.

The latest developments come after several bookies refunded betting on the game that saw Ireland miss out on next summer's World Cup finals.

William Hill have refunded stake money to all punters who backed the Ireland to qualify for the final stages of the World Cup and will also pay out on all bets for the French to qualify for next summer's finals in South Africa.

Hill's spokesman Graham Sharpe said: "Leaving aside the fact that no one knows what would have happened if the goal had been disallowed, we feel that we are being as fair as possible to everyone by returning stake money to those who bet on the Irish going through."

There have been calls for the game to be replayed and Hill's offer 100/1 on that happening, but Sharpe added: "There are two chances that this will happen - slim and none."

Sky Bet also refunded stakes to all punters who backed the Irish to qualify for South Africa as well as paying out on bets for the French to go through.

The firm now make Thierry Henry’s team 16/1 to win the World Cup after their dramatic extra time victory in Paris and quote 200/1 that the match will be replayed.

The Harrogate-based firm also offer 50/1 that video technology will be introduced during the 2010 World Cup finals.

Sky Bet’s Dale Tempest said: "To lose out in such dramatic and controversial circumstances was a devastating blow for the Irish. It only seems fair to refund to customers any stakes placed on Ireland to qualify. Surely it can only be a matter of time before technology is used to clear up major decisions when so much is at stake."

User Ratings

Ratings :

Article Tools

5447 clicksPrintPost To Twitter Share on Facebook Add Comment

Your name (required):

Your email address (required, will not be shown to the public):

Do you want us to remember your personal information for next time?

Yes    No

Add your comments:

Please enter the code above:

Email me if anyone else comments on this story

Tags

Tags: 2010 World Cup,  2010 World Cup Betting,  Football,  Football Betting,  Football News,  France,  Ireland,  Rep Of Ireland,  Republic Of Ireland,  Thierry Henry,  World Cup,  World Cup Betting