D Friday, November 20, 2009 METROSPORT 23 Robbie Keane has launched a scathing attack on Fifa and their belated decision to seed the play- off draws. The 29-year-old Tottenham striker, pictured above left with Keith andrews, said: its an easy decision to do the seedings, isnt it? They are all probably clapping hands, [Uefa President Michel] Platini sitting up there on the phone to [Fifa President] Sepp blatter, probably texting each other, delighted with the result. France and Germany had a chance of being in the play-offs as well, two massive countries. There was no way it was going to be a fair draw and it wasnt. WHAT THEY SAID republic of ireland coach Giovan- ni Trapattoni wants Fifa to explain their choice of referee for their con- troversial World cup exit in paris. And the italian has also asked the games governing body to change the rules for such high-profile play-offs as he admitted there was no chance of the match against France being re- played. The irish were leading the second leg 1-0 at the Stade de France and were level on aggregate deep into ex- tra-time when Henry crossed for Wil- liam Gallas to head home the goal and send his country to next sum- mers finals. irelands players raced to surround Swedish referee Martin Hansson and claimed Henry had handled the ball before he crossed. Television replays backed them up but their pleas for justice were ignored as the French scraped through in controversial of circumstances Trapattoni said: All fans saw what happened on the pitch. i would only like to say i would like Fifa to explain how they selected the referee for this important game.For this important game we needed a stronger referee, an important referee. The italian added: i would give the advice to Fifa maybe in the future change the rules about the play-off. play two games and at the end of 90 minutes no extra-time. Keane hits out at unfair seedings I hope three Swedes feel even worse than the Irish. [Ref] Martin Hansson, [assistants] Stefan Wittberg and Fredrik Nilsson. There will be no World Cup for Ireland and I assume that Team Hansson has also forfeited its right to continue to take charge of major international matches. Anything else would be a further insult to the Irish nation. Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet I wouldnt blame Thierry. I would maybe look at the fact seedings for the play-offs were made to favour the bigger teams. The referee succumbed under pressure. Ireland assistant boss Liam Brady Were going to go the World Cup, but we go to the locker room with our heads bowed. It was not something to be proud of. Former France World Cup winner Bixente Lizarazu By davId kennedy referee choice All sports lose credibility with this situation it affects the integrity of the game. i will go to Fifa and advise them go straight to penalties. its better for football. Trapattoni admitted it had been a bitter experience and for him the circumstances in which the play-offs were seeded was questionable. He added: For me its bitter. There are many questions they changed the rules about the seeded teams, then us playing away last. There are many doubts that have to be eliminated. Out of the non-seeded teams we were the only ones to play the second game away why? However, the italian admitted there was no prospect of the match being replayed, adding: i know its impos- sible to replay the game. When a referee decides, it ends the game for me. This situation has to give a chance to who is responsible to rethink. it can be repeated in the future and we have to stop it. There is a 30-second stop and we clarify the situation. im sure in the future they will have to do something about it. Trapattoni did though absolve Hen- ry, saying: it wasnt up to Henry to say i touched it with my hand. premier league eager: aquilani Aquilani to be kept waiting for Reds start AlberTO AQuilANi may have to wait a little longer before gaining his first start for liverpool. Anfield boss rafael benitez has played down claims the italy international, yet to start since his 20million summer move from roma, will begin tomorrows premier league game with Manchester city. Aquilani was reassured by national boss Marcello lippi over his World cup final chances this week after six months of injury problems. The midfielder has recovered from ankle surgery but has so far managed one 15-minute spell in a reserve match and two similar cameo roles in senior outings against Arsenal and birmingham. liverpool are still suffering from injury problems ahead of the crunch match with city, but benitez is worried about pushing Aquilani too hard. He said: Alberto wants to play for us and is so desperate to be involved as quickly as he can but he understands the reasons he cannot start yet. He wants to keep improving his condition and now it is just a matter of him keeping calm as it will not be long before he is there. He is pushing us all the time. And benitez added: He is very positive and wants to help the team now but you must remember we have a responsibility to him, and we will not take any risks at this stage. The 25 year-old is likely to be named on the bench, and an impressed benitez added: You can see in everything he does that he has got quality. France will go to South Africa courtesy of unquestionable cheating which highlights the downward spiral affecting football today. SNEP condemns and challenges statements made by coach Raymond Domenech and some of his players saying the main thing in sport is to win. French teachers union Snep-FSU The ref never saw it, so it is one of those things that happens in football but I think it increases the demand for technology. Birmingham boss Alex McLeish after 180 hard-fought minutes, the fate of both teams was decided by a moment of drama in extra- time. Fifa.coms match report with no mention of any handball Ireland was unlucky in the two games, but we deserve it because of our win in dublin. France midfielder Lassana Diarra I understand that the Irish are frustrated. They must forget this evening and use it for the future. Football is played on small details, however, qualification is still beautiful. French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes Gillette are not placed to comment on any refereeing decisions made in the match or any refereeing at all for that matter. This is not going to affect our relationship with Thierry Henry. Henrys sponsors Gillette emotional: Trapattoni speaks to the press yesterday Henry risks tainted legacy Sean ST Ledger has warned Thierry Henry he risks being remembered for his infamous World Cup handball rather than as a brilliant footballer. The Middlesbrough defender (pictured) said: i dont really know what went through his mind at the time. He is one of the best footballers in the world. When he retires, everyone will remember Thierry Henry or maybe they will remember Thierry Henry for that now. its a boyhood dream for me to go and play in the World Cup and its been taken away. if it had gone to penalties, who knows? its a 50-50 kind of thing. While Henry was immediately cast in the role of villain, St Ledger admitted ireland would not have been complaining had it happened at the other end, and laid the blame more at the feet of the officials and the international games governing bodies. He said: its not about him doing it, its more that we need replays. The technology is there the boys saw it straight away and you can just tell from the players reaction. Referees and linesmen have jobs to do, and thats cost us. Fergie should stay on, pleads Scholes PaUL SCHoLeS says boss Sir alex Ferguson should stay in the Manchester United hotseat for as long as he wishes. Ferguson (pictured) is celebrating 23 years in charge at old Trafford and nearing his 68th birthday, but has refused to say when he will finally stand down from his role. but former england midfielder Scholes just wants him to carry on and on. His record speaks for itself. Hopefully, he can continue to be here for a long time to come, Scholes told the Manchester evening news. it shows what can be achieved if you have a manager for so long and the trophies they can win. u FeRGUSon will be in the dugout for tomorrows Premier League match at home to everton after the Football association confirmed his two-match touchline ban would not start until 14 days after the disciplinary panel hearing, which was held last week. but he will be in the stands to face Portsmouth at Fratton Park on november 28 and then Tottenham in the Carling Cup on December 1. index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html