FOOTBALL : Republic of Ireland assistant manager Liam Brady claimed Sepp Blatter has become a “loose cannon” and “an embarrassment to FIFA”.
Republic of Ireland assistant manager Liam Brady claimed Sepp Blatter has become a “loose cannon” and “an embarrassment to FIFA”.
The Republic were beaten by France in their play-off by a goal which should have been disallowed due to Thierry Henry’s handball and FIFA president Blatter this week revealed that the Republic were bidding to be installed as a 33rd team at the World Cup.
Brady claimed the Football Association of Ireland, having already had calls for a replay rejected, had expected FIFA to consider the ’33rd team’ request in private, rather than go public with it, and he expressed dismay at the way Blatter has dealt with the saga since Giovanni Trapattoni’s side were cruelly knocked out.
“He’s a bit of a loose cannon. He’s an embarrassment to FIFA,” Brady told Sky Sports News.
Explaining the decision to approach FIFA and ask to be included in the World Cup draw, Brady revealed the FAI knew the request was likely to be dismissed.
He said: “I think when we asked for that we knew there was very little chance of that happening. We asked because we wanted to have them respond in a measured way, and see what they had to say.
“After all Mr Blatter was responsible for the (match) official. He didn’t say anything about the appalling mistake the official made to miss a blatant handball.”
The former Republic midfielder was shocked when Blatter told a news conference that the FAI’s appeal had been lodged with FIFA.
“I’m afraid Mr Blatter is a law unto himself,” Brady said. “I thought it was very disrespectful how he presented this fact.
“He’s currently ignored most of the controversial things that went on that evening. He never had anything to say about that at all, like Henry’s behaviour after scoring the goal and how that stands within his campaign to have fair play within the game.”
