Ireland give up on replay request after FIFA reject plea

Ireland on Saturday conceded defeat in its bid to have a controversial World Cup play-off against France replayed

Ireland on Saturday conceded defeat in its bid to have a controversial World Cup play-off against France replayed.

Both FIFA and the French Football Federation (FFF) rejected the Irish football chief John Delaney's appeal to have the second leg of the play-off replayed because of Thierry Henry's handball in the build-up to William Gallas goal which sent France to the finals.

Thierry Henry handles the ball against Republic of Ireland. pic/AFP

Delaney said in a atatement: "We regret that despite our best efforts for a replay, which would have restored the integrity of the game in front of a world-wide audience, our calls appear to have fallen on deaf ears at the French Football Federation.

"Without doubt, the credibility of fair play has been damaged by this incident in front of a worldwide audience."