2Z4HMVSPRYQF Fifa has dashed any lingering hopes that the Republic of Ireland could play in next year's World Cup finals, stating that it would be impossible to add a 33rd team to the tournament. Fifa's general secretary, Jérôme Valcke, told a news conference three days before the draw for the finals in South Africa that Ireland should not entertain hopes of being given an extra place because of France's controversial handball goal against them."I wouldn't say it's a nonsense but it is impossible," said Valcke. "There's no hope to give that there will be any more than 32 teams at the World Cup in South Africa."
The Fifa president Sepp Blatter revealed on Monday that Ireland had requested a place at the finals in addition to the 32 qualified teams because they felt cheated by Thierry Henry's controversial goal for France in their play-off match. Valcke said that, as Ireland had made an official request, the matter would have to go before Wednesday's organising committee meeting in Cape Town.
But he said Blatter, who runs soccer's world governing body, had told the Irish very clearly they had no chance of success. Valcke said there would be too many organisational problems to overcome and that other teams who felt penalised by wrong refereeing decisions could also come forward and make similar claims.
"We had 853 qualifying matches," Valcke said. "It's sad that we are talking about just one game."
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