IRELAND FOOTBALL ASSOCIATON ISSUES STATEMENT OVER FIFA PAYMENTS

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has
issued a statement revealing the details of a €5m
interest-free loan it was paid by FIFA as
compensation after the Republic of Ireland
controversially missed out on the 2010 World Cup.
FAI chief executive John Delaney claimed on
Thursday that world football's governing body had
paid compensation to prevent legal action after a
handball from Thierry Henry in a qualifying play-
off in November 2009 ensured France progressed
to the finals in South Africa.
FIFA rejected the FAI's request of a replay after
meeting president Sepp Blatter, who announced
his intention to step down this week amid a
corruption crisis, and other FIFA officials.
The FAI said they then held another meeting with
FIFA in January 2010, when Blatter apologised
for making a joke about Ireland wanting to be
the 33rd team to play in the World Cup later that
year.
The two parties negotiated that a €5m interest-
free loan would be paid to the FAI along with a
grant of $400,000 grant for "Regional Football
Centres".
FIFA stated the loan was paid to help cover the
cost of the redevelopment of the Aviva Stadium,
which the FAI confirmed was the case.
It was also revealed in the FAI statement that
the loan was reduced to €4m in 2011 and written
off two years later after Ireland failed to qualify
for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.