Fifa responds with meeting

World governing body to gather in Cape Town next week

Last updated: 24th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Fifa responds with meeting

Blatter: Responds to arrests

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Fifa has called an extraordinary meeting of its executive committee following 'incidents at the play-offs for the World Cup, match control (refereeing) and irregularities in the football betting market'.

It has been arranged that members of the world football governing body will gather in Cape Town on 2nd December after the recent play-off matches created a number of talking points.

The meeting has also been called by Fifa president Sepp Blatter in response to hundreds of arrests across Europe by officers investigating corruption in football.

Fifa said in a statement: "Due to recent events in the world of football, namely incidents at the play-offs for the 2010 Fifa World Cup South Africa, match control (refereeing) and irregularities in the football betting market, the Fifa president has called an extraordinary meeting of the executive committee.

"The extraordinary meeting of the executive committee will take place in Cape Town on 2nd December 2009."

Outrage

Republic of Ireland were eliminated by France, with Thierry Henry causing outrage as he handled the ball in the build-up to William Gallas' extra-time goal which secured a 2-1 aggregate victory for Les Bleus.

But Sky Sports News understands that Fifa's stance has not changed since rejecting Republic of Ireland's request for a replay.

The Football Association of Ireland said in a statement: "In relation to this evening's announcement that Fifa president Sepp Blatter has called an extraordinary meeting of the Fifa executive committee to discuss incidents at the play-offs, the FAI confirmed that it heard about this meeting today through Fifa's press release.

"Should we be asked to make any contribution, the FAI would be happy to do so for the improvement of the game."

The African play-off match between Algeria and Egypt was also marred by scenes of off-field violence.

Comments (57)

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Ronan O'connor (Barcelona fan) says...

I don't think you guys realise it, but the issue of whether the France-Ireland match should be replayed won't even be discussed at this meeting. Fifa may talk about the possibility of bringing in a video ref but you can be damn sure there won't be any firm decisions made at this meeting! It's all pretty sickening. Cheating needs to be stamped out of the game. People have these warped views of top players and not a whole lot is usually said when top players dive against smaller teams to win penaltys etc. It's kind of accepted because everyone expects the big teams to win. But let's face it, games should be completely fair and if a small club outplays a big club, and the big players don't perform, why not give the little guys justice once in a while. I for one hate when cheating spoils a match, even when the decision goes in favour of my team!! It's all rather dumb...

Posted 17:18 24th November 2009

Keyser Ali (Liverpool fan) says...

Henry is such a classic player, and I will not change my mind despite people calling him cheater. This things happen everywhere in football. How many countries eliminated because of ref. errors? The number is infinite, but Irish Football should let it go this incident because it's going to distract their reputation in football. On the other hand, fans are suggesting FIFA should put more ref. or camera consult on the field. There¿s no dought this will increase the accuracy and precision of the game but let¿s not forget this will also introduce limit to the game particularly players. I like this beautiful game¿how the current rules set up. Introducing new rules such as more ref. on the field will alter the excitement and enjoyment of the game. Players will play more cautious and fearful. The pace of the game will be much lower; it would be like the Serie A. It's ref.'s job to caught and monitor such error during the game. This is not impossible, right? If the refs. are vigilant, watchful and fair.

Posted 14:33 24th November 2009

Shuggie O'donnell (Manchester United fan) says...

Cut out replays - 13 teams go to the finals therefore 13 leagues of 4 with top team through obviously.If 53/54 teams then allocate the additional teams to any of the leagues when making the draw - Simples. This would mean teams only play 6/8 games thus keeping managers happy. We're always hearing about too many fixtures anyway so this would cut them down slightly.

Posted 14:31 24th November 2009

Mark Lowdon (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

I don't think the video replay should be introduced. I think it will slow the game down far to much. Also I love the fact that mistakes happen and it gives us something to talk about. I remember when Pedro scored for Spurs against United and I love to talk about it to this day. Like the Henry incident you have really got to be looking at the officials. How the referee and assistant missed them is beyond me. This is a bug error and if you were to make this kind of mistake at a 9-5 job you would be sacked. I can't see this happening to the officials.

Posted 23:59 23rd November 2009

David Tennant (Aston Villa fan) says...

FIFA are really showing their age. They are unable to keep up with public opinion and continue to take unpopular view of these incidents that should result clearly in sanctions. Why they cannot learn from other sports that actually add something to the spectator (customer) experience I do not know. I am actually being turned off top flight football and prefer to watch lower league matches that still seem to be played in the proper spirit of the rules. FAIR play is made a nonsense of and I can see a break coming soon where top flight clubs will go their own way and international football becomes less and less important to players and fans. In my opinion FIFA are making a hash of what should be simple basic choices about the game that money says all and the game means little.

Posted 23:53 23rd November 2009

Andre Macnamara (Liverpool fan) says...

i know we were cheated out of the World Cup. No world cup in 8 years but we could of won by 2 or 3 goals. Damien duff could of lobed over the keeper but he hit it strait at him. john o sheas miss. when Keane brought it out of play (hard to keep in though) but they were wasted so we could of one. 3 2 . 4 2. 3 1 so keep in mind it wasn't just Henry fault it was are missed chances as well.but a ref in each half a 4th official on either side of the pitch. A Ref behind each goal post 4 posts 4 refs. it would cost about 6,000 extra pair games could the players of the fa not pay that fee per game

Posted 23:01 23rd November 2009

Michelle Pasnik says...

FIFA are never in a million years ever going to change their minds on this matter. They promote fair play and sportsmanship, all the while contradicting themselves with their actions. Unfortunately Ireland are the ones to suffer, and you could go on all day about missed chances etc, but that doesn't excuse Henry's behaviour, and all this BS that he's been spouting over the last few days is just desperate. He cheated, plain and simple, he knows it and we know it. If ever there was a time to introduce video replays/technology then nows the time, but I won't hold my breath not with the dinosaurs inside FIFA HQ.

Posted 22:51 23rd November 2009

Ben Stone (Manchester United fan) says...

I think it's a case of too little too late......people have been calling for video replays for a long time so that situations like this could be avoided; introducing this after a big incident would be like admitting defeat. FIFA needed to make this decision before something like this happened. Maybe FIFA need to just bite the bullet now and instroduce video replays for penalty claims, three kick claims within 30 yards and other questionable incidents that lead to goals. As for Ireland your time will come again, I feel bad but you did have chances to put the ball away, its just a shame they weren't taken. And as for Henry, you should have admitted fault when you controlled the ball with hand......once again.....too little too late!

Posted 22:45 23rd November 2009

Jim Hanna (Middlesbrough fan) says...

Lets face it Football is all about advertising revenue and money. Which country has the biggest population and marketability? T he days when this was a sport are long gone. "Lets kick out Racism," and "Fair Play" slogans are just paying lip service to political correctness. The people who run the sport we love are out of touch with the masses and they have shamed and disgraced the game so much so that it is riddled with corruption (hence their emergency meeting). Sadly we all know what the meeting is designed to do and it is not for transparency thats for sure, it will be a whitewash to ensure their own survival at the expense of what was once a great sport instead of a predictable farce. Simple requests like video technology to help officials and ensure Fair Play will be ignored yet again for reasons of their own blinkered outdated thinking. Their only goal is self preservation of cushy jobs for the boys.

Posted 22:40 23rd November 2009

Andrew Joannou (Arsenal fan) says...

I can remember plenty of times where my team has been cheating out of a victory or into a defeat, as I sure most other football fans can remember examples involving their teams too. The champs league final springs to mind.. but players cheat and refs make mistakes... it happens... yes it's upsetting and unfair. Some even argue that it helps to add a little of the drama that makes us love it... And although I would have loved to see Ireland there as they have fans that would actually add to the party atmosphere that makes the world cup special, replaying the match would be wrong. Instead, the case should finally cement the need for video referees. It would help eradicate these decisions and so many more and I think overall the flow of the game will not be effected as less there would likely be less divers (not wanting to run the risk of being caught) and so less overall time wasted. The other thing that needs to come from this is retrospective action against players (at a level similar to that if they had been caught during the game) but more importantly, real action against referees. They should be obliged to explain decisions to the media and managers after the game and should be punished and fined the same way players are when they do wrong. The football governors demand respect for referees but then make them into these untouchable, unaccountable figures (freedom of speech when talking about referees performances seems not to apply either). Until this changes they will never get the respect they believe they deserve.

Posted 22:32 23rd November 2009

Charlie Valencia (Leeds United fan) says...

Henry is such a good footballer but what happened to the playoffs has absolutely ruined his reputation. Me & my friends admired him of his skills but after that kind of cheating...shame on him! Irish worked hard for this world cup campaign & they played fair enough. It was only destroyed within a seconds of Henry's cheating skills... FIFA should look more on this if they really have the credibility.

Posted 22:30 23rd November 2009

Wayne Bradley (Manchester United fan) says...

This situation makes FIFA look absolutely ridiculous. They have to introduce technology, its the biggest sport in the world and is being made to look amateurish. Im a Northern Ireland fan and I think the Republic over the 2 legs looked a better team and would probably have put on a better show at the finals. France in comparison with all their star players look a complete shambles.

Posted 22:25 23rd November 2009

Martin Leach says...

Time for the Instant Replay and 4thofficial I'm afraid. It has chaged the game where it has been introduced and will change football when those with th power realise it is the nly way to stop cheatng. We cretainly can't rely on players and teams to do it and that leaves only th officials. No more diving, no mre cheating, wake up FIFA!

Posted 22:22 23rd November 2009

Jon Pinto says...

i think that they say they dont want to replay the game fair enough the best thing they can do is put both teams together and give them a penalty shootout the handball was in extra time so yes that is the fairest thing they can do or other wise when it comes to the draw they make a selection between france and ireland and who is choosen goes through to the world cup

Posted 22:21 23rd November 2009

Iain Clarke (Manchester United fan) says...

Well I don't think there is much chance of a replay. This is probably posturing and a PR effort by FIFA. They know the buck stops with them. However if through this meeting they decide to implement video refs, as an Irishman I will be happy. If each team got only 2 or 3 appeals per game, (similar to american Football) it would not slow the tempo of the game as teams would try to save their appeals until they really knew something was wrong. It would also reduce simulation as the player would know their dive would be replayed and they would be yellow-carded.

Posted 22:17 23rd November 2009

Gordon Santos (AC Milan fan) says...

How come nobody is talking about Martin Hansson, the referee? This guy should never be allowed to ref again. What a disgrace!

Posted 22:11 23rd November 2009

Mike Corcoran (Manchester City fan) says...

Whilst FIFA are holding their extraordinary meeting they should make an extraordinary decision and ban France from the world cup for cheating and acting contrary to fair play and integrity as set out in FIFA's own mission statement - In any other sport e.g athletics if they are found to have cheated and medals awarded they are given to the next placed person. As for Ireland they should take their rightful place in South Africa.

Posted 21:51 23rd November 2009

Steve King (Manchester United fan) says...

I wish the Irish would stop all this bleating & moaning & just get over it. Why do they think they are such a special case that they deserve something which no other team has EVER had ? A reply because the ref missed an incident. It happens in every game in every league around the world. So stop moaning & look at the REAL reason you are out - you never scored enough goals..!! SIMPLE. Anyway, why are the English so sympathetic to the Irish cause ? Someone tell me why I should support a country when they are quite happy to slate us & turn against us at every opportunity - you KNOW what I mean.... So stop crying - you are all so pathetic......

Posted 21:34 23rd November 2009

Phil Hardwick (Sheffield Wednesday fan) says...

Cheating happens in football daily. Ireland are unlucky its happened to them but they cant replay the game. Otherwise whats next?! Everytime someone dives to win a penalty, cheat to get a player sent off, when a player goes of injured due to a off the ball incident. Football is great how it is. I dont think we need video replays. If we had the extra officials behind the goal like in the europa league it probally wouldnt have happened!

Posted 21:31 23rd November 2009

Antony Reavey (Redditch United fan) says...

This is Blatter paying lip service, he got what he wanted and that was France through. I hope Henry is decent enough to be very embarassed while carrying the "Fair Play " banner at the World Cup. Cheating will now be rife because FIFA have give it the o k as long as the ref doesn't see it.

Posted 21:23 23rd November 2009
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