Republic of Ireland

John O'Shea: 'Only a replay would have made amends'

By Simon Sinclair, Reporter | 07 June 2015

Republic of Ireland's John O'Shea reveals that he would have preferred a replay of their ill-fated World Cup playoff match against France rather than their payoff from FIFA.

Republic of Ireland defender John O'Shea has revealed that he would have preferred a replay of their ill-fated World Cup playoff match against France rather than their payoff from FIFA.

The FAI revealed this week that they received a £3.5m compensation package from world football's governing body after Ireland were prevented from earning a place in the 2010 World Cup because of Thierry Henry's controversial handball.

Former France coach Raymond Domenech suggested that the Ireland players should have received some of the cash as compensation, but O'Shea has declared that only a replay would have made amends for the incident.

He told reporters: "For the French manager from that time to come out and say that now, it's easy from his point of view. To come out and say that the players [should claim a share], it's ridiculous.

"You are talking about what the players would have been looking for from that point of view. Ultimately, it was done and dusted, the game was over, but if there was going to be anything from it, it would have been, say, a replay.

"It wouldn't have been a case of monetary benefits from that point of view. But look, the game was done and dusted and these things happen, as they say."

Martin O'Neill's men play England in a friendly in Dublin later today.