Former Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni was very close to becoming the first Ireland manager since Mick McCarthy to take the Republic Of Ireland to the FIFA World Cup back in 2009 before Ireland's controversial loss to France in the playoffs. Now that that game has been dragged back into the public consciousness with the controversial payment from FIFA to the FAI after that game, Trapattoni has had his say on one of the most memorable incidents of his time in charge.
Speaking to Italian newspaper La Stampa, Trapattoni claims that Blatter offered to help me forget about the incident that he still recalls very clearly:
I remember every moment of those seconds in Paris and, above all, the laugh of the assistant of the referee Hansson made in front of me.
Blatter said 'meet me, we can find together a way out, a way to forget.'
I do not know what he wanted. I just know that when he gave me his hand, I did not give mine because I do not have two faces.
Given the corruption allegations that is engulfing FIFA at the moment it's an interesting perspective on the story. FIFA paid the FAI a sum of €5 million in the aftermath of this game.
The FAI released a statement last night that highlighted the confidentiality agreement they agreed to with FIFA over the payment and the timeline of events that lead to the payment after there was pressure put on the FAI to bring some transparency to the issue.
You can read the full statement here.
See Also: 5 Other Disgraceful Injustices That FIFA Should Have Bribed The FAI To Keep Quiet Over
See Also: Enda Kenny Has His Say On That €5 Million Loan From FIFA
Picture Credit Brian Lawless / Sportsfile
