Republic of Ireland

FIFA confirm payment was made to FAI after controversial Thierry Henry handball

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 04 June 2015

FIFA confirms that a payment of $5m was made to the FAI in 2009, as a way of stopping the body protesting their controversial World Cup playoff loss.

FIFA has moved to clear up its reasoning behind granting the Football Association of Ireland a financial settlement to not contest in court their infamous World Cup playoff defeat in 2009.

A controversial handball from Thierry Henry, which directly led to William Gallas's winning goal in the two-legged tie, sent France through to the finals at the expense of the Republic of Ireland.

FAI chief John Delaney revealed earlier today that FIFA paid a sum of money, initially thought to be in the region of £3.5m, in order to avoid legal action over the high-profile dispute.

The scandal-hit organisation has now responded in a statement, claiming that the payment was intended as a "loan" to be repaid in full if the Green Army qualified for the 2014 World Cup, which they failed to do so.

"FIFA granted FAI a loan of $5 million for the construction of a stadium in Ireland," it said. "At the same time, UEFA also granted the FAI funds for the same stadium.

"The terms agreed between FIFA and the FAI were that the loan would be reimbursed if Ireland qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Ireland did not so qualify. Because of this, and in view of the FAI's financial situation, FIFA decided to write off the loan as per 31 December 2014."

France failed to make it beyond the group stage at South Africa 2010, taking a single point from their three games, while Ireland again missed out on qualification for last year's World Cup.