Keane joins call for replay

Ireland skipper joins Henry in calling for replay

By Steve Pass   Last updated: 20th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Keane joins call for replay

Keane: Wants replay

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Republic of Ireland skipper Robbie Keane has joined French captain Thierry Henry in calling for a replay of their World Cup qualifier.

Henry said on Friday that a replay would be the fairest option after he handled the ball twice in the build-up to creating William Gallas' goal in extra-time on Wednesday night which earned Les Bleus a 2-1 aggregate success.

But while Fifa has confirmed that the match will not be allowed to take place again, Keane has added his voice to the growing clamour that it should.

The skipper said in a statement on the Football Association of Ireland's official website: "On behalf of the Republic of Ireland players, I would like to thank Thierry Henry for his statement this afternoon that in his opinion a replay would be the fairest option.

Courage

"As captain of the French team, to make such a statement took courage and honour, and all of us recognise that.

"As captain of the Republic of Ireland team, I would also be happy for a replay to happen in the interest of fair play so that whichever team qualifies, can do so with their heads held high.

"We can only hope that the French Football Federation might accept the wishes of both captains in the best interests of the game."